Humble Heroes: Volunteers making a difference through meaningful acts of kindness

Note from the Editor: This article’s author is a student at Staten Island Academy High School who is a part of the Advance/SILive.com High School Journalism Immersion program, which aims to introduce young people to the field of community journalism.

A patient and their family may suffer greatly while battling a medical condition in the hospital, particularly if the sufferer is a youngster. While doctors and healthcare workers save lives, Humble Heroes of FDNY serve as superheroes to children across New York City and the East Coast.

Our organization understands when ordinary people work together towards a meaningful cause, extraordinary things happen, said Robert Banome, one of the organization s founders.

Started in 2015 by Banome and other members of the FDNY and their families, Humble Heroes is a nonprofit volunteer initiative serving the Staten Island and New York City community by teaching the importance of volunteerism to Staten Island youth, bringing joy to children in hospitals and special-needs schools, and supporting the families of fallen FDNY and 9/11 first responders. Volunteers participate in hurricane relief operations, visit sick children throughout New York City dressed as superheroes, and organize scholarship competitions in collaboration with Staten Island schools.

This August 2023 photo shows Aiden Wen and Ariel Moyal, PS37R pupils, visiting with heroes from the Humble Heroes group. (Courtesy of Alyssa LaRocca/Humble Heroes)(Courtesy of Alyssa LaRocca/Humb

Banome got the idea when he and his friends were dressed up as Power Rangers for a Halloween party. A mother whose son had cancer remarked how much a visit from the Power Rangers would cheer up her son. Banome spoke with his friends at Camp Good Grief, a camp on Staten Island for grieving children, and arranged a first group visit for Humble Heroes there. A few months later while being treated for a burn at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Banome started visiting the pediatric unit in costume to lift the spirits of the patients there, and was soon joined by his friends, siblings and fianc Samantha LaRocca. Since then, the organization has expanded. Members of the organization have also flown to Florida to assist in hurricane relief efforts, and the organization has expanded to include a chapter in Pennsylvania.

In addition to its work in hospitals, Humble Heroes hosts an annual Heart of Humble Heroes Hundred-Day Challenge, which aims to celebrate young volunteers and inspire a generation of compassionate change-makers through a scholarship essay contest. Frank D. Paulo Intermediate School (I.S. 75) and the Rocco Laurie Intermediate School (I.S. 72) have both hosted challenges.

Through this initiative, our students have cultivated empathy, leadership, and a sense of responsibility while making tangible contributions to their communities, said said Ken Zapata, principal of I.S. 75. It s heartening to witness young individuals growing into compassionate citizens, embodying the spirit of giving and shaping a brighter future for all.

Students like Imaya Jaywardene, an I.S. student, have benefited from the Hundred-Day Challenge. 75 graduate, gained a new perspective on community service.

In this photo from August 2023, “Batman” from the Humble Heroes organization visits with PS37R student Ysabella Ramirez. (Courtesy of Alyssa LaRocca/Humble Heroes)(Courtesy of Alyssa LaRocca/Humb

I thank the Humble Heroes program for challenging me and opening the doors for me to create a difference in the lives of others and making me a better human being in return, said Imaya.

This challenge has also inspired students to continue volunteering even after they have graduated.

Although I am moving to high school next year, and the Humble Heroes Challenge may not be part of the school that I attend, I will continue to challenge myself each year with new ideas for helping in my community, said Alexis Ryan, an I.S. 75 graduate.

As the president of the New York chapter, Alyssa LaRocca, sister of Banome’s fiancée Samantha LaRocca, has been a vital member of the Humble Heroes team.

From the kids we visit to the kids who participate in our volunteer challenge, we want to show that it does not take a lot to be someone s hero, said Alyssa LaRocca. A small act of kindness is the first step toward making an unforgettable difference in someone s life!

There are many ways to support Humble Heroes of FDNY and its community impact. Donations to the Humble Heroes Fund support the non-profit organization s many initiatives, including toy donations and hospital visits. People can also sign up to volunteer with Humble Heroes, join the mailing list, and follow the Instagram page (@humbleheroes_ny) to support their recent and upcoming events. For more information, visithhfdny.org.