Exclusive Interview with the Arizona Avengers
They’re ready to assemble at a moment’s notice, and their charity super powers are amazing. The Arizona Avengers, led by Karissa, the Commanding Officer, use their powers for the greatest of goods, helping a wide variety of charities based in Arizona and beyond.
Tell us how the Arizona Avengers got started. Who were the founding members?
“The Arizona Avengers was first founded back in 2009. It started out as an idea for a simple Marvel costuming club, and has since evolved into an all volunteer group dedicated to charity work and giving back to the community. Our oldest members, who also help founded the group, are Aaron Forrester and Terry Fedder.”
And what about the Avengers Initiative?
“The Avengers Initiative, for lack of a better term, is a figurehead. They assist blossoming and upcoming local chapters and help them get established. Since the Arizona Avengers was the first chapter our founding members helped organize and build up what is now known as the Avengers Initiative.”
What are some of the charities that the Avengers Initiative supports?
“Each local chapter works with different charities. The Arizona Avengers specifically have teamed up with and work alongside Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Diamond Children’s Medical Center, Sojourner Center, CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, HopeKids, Kids Need To Read, Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA,) Voices for CASA Children, Lions Club, Casa de los Ninos, Boys & Girls Club, YMCA, Phoenix & Tucson Zoo, and many public libraries and schools all throughout the entire state of Arizona.”
The Arizona Avengers has a rather large team! Captain America, Spider-Man, Scarlet Witch, S.H.I.E.L.D. agents… Who are some of the other members of the Arizona Avengers?
“We have a bunch of characters/volunteers ranging from X-Men like Wolverine, Professor X, Phoenix, and Shadowcat, to Inhumans and Guardians of the Galaxy like Black Bolt, Medusa, Star-Lord, and Gamora. We also have lots of Spiders; Superior Spider-Man, Future Foundation Spider-Man, Miles Morales, Spider Woman, Spider Gwen, the list goes on and on. We even have some villains like Green Goblin, Juggernaut, and Doc Ock.”
What is the best way for community members in need to assemble the Avengers?
“The best way to contact the Arizona Avengers is through our email, arizonaavengers@gmail.com, or on our facebook page,https://www.facebook.com/ArizonaAvengers”
How can others help the Arizona Avengers to support the community?
“By showing us their support and spreading our message of giving back. Sometimes it just takes a small kind gesture to show that anyone can be a hero.”
What is the best part of being a member of the Arizona Avengers?
“We all have different answers for this question, but for me personally as the Commanding Officer it comes down to this; It’s nothing short of amazing that I have the ability to help bring so many people together like teachers, nurses, students, servers, homemakers, managers, veterans, survivors, and many more and have us all work towards one common goal. Our goal of making the world just a little better, a little more positive, a little brighter, a little more caring, a little more understanding, with a few more smiles. I love seeing and feeling the positivity we help generate and spread. It’s what keeps me going.”
What’s the next big thing for the Arizona Avengers? Any special events planned?
“Phoenix Comicon! We will be on the 3rd Floor in the Hall of Heroes. We will be sharing a giant booth, known as the Superhero Headquarters, alongside our DC sister group, the Justice League of Arizona. Both of us will be there all weekend at our booth running charity raffles, and helping run panels. Our panel times haven’t been finalized yet, but definitely keep an out for Marvel Jeopardy and test out your Marvel knowledge and go head to head with the best!”