Hello! Garrett Stroup here. If you have attended any of our events with the Northeast Florida branch of CWC, you have likely seen me roaming with a couple cameras in-hand, capturing the impact our group has on the community, or dressed as the star-spangled man with a plan. I have served with CWC in an official capacity since 2019 as an Event Photographer, Character Performer, Event Leader, and now Website/Email Administrator.

Every time I set up an event for CWC and that character roster starts filling up, I am reminded that I volunteer with the greatest people in the world. You are all my heroes, and have earned my deepest respect. I am looking forward to doing all I can for the organization and our cause!

How did you first get involved with Costumers with a Cause, and what has been your favorite or most memorable event so far and what made it memorable?

Truth be told, my wife [Jennifer] learned about CWC from a downtown Jacksonville photoshoot with our friendly neighborhood Spiderman. Jennifer reached out to Jack Hill of CWC Northeast Florida, and we attended the 2018 St. Augustine Christmas Parade for our first event.

The most memorable CWC event for me so far was setting up a character visit as part of a series of events for a 9-year-old boy named Liam, who was fighting a brain tumor. I knew CWC would be an amazing feature of this special day. We assembled a rock star ensemble of characters, and met Liam’s bus driver at his neighborhood amenity center to start our trek to his house.

When we turned the corner on Liam’s street, I will never forget the sight of every single family out in their driveway, in #Liamstrong shirts with Captain America shields on the front, all cheering on our characters and Liam’s school bus. Liam was overwhelmed with the group we assembled, but quickly warmed up. Liam mostly pal’d around with Captain America, but Deadpool was giving fencing lessons, and everybody loved the rest of our heroes, too.

CWC went on to support a #Liamstrong Lifesouth Blood Drive at Good News Church World Golf Village, with many of the same character volunteers making an appearance.

Our members put on many faces in CWC.  What is your favorite character you represent and what is it that you like about that character?

The only character I have ready to go at the moment is Captain America. I have enjoyed making many of my own upgrades, including magnetizing my vibranium shield so it stays on my back in costume, and crafting my own harness and utility belt with my own custom leatherwork. I have a Green Arrow costume as well, but that is in drastic need of alterations at the moment. I am currently building an Iron Man Mark 7 suit, but it is a little bit of work! I think I am most drawn to performing as any of these characters because they all understand sacrifice, and all do what has to be done to protect others.

Based on your experiences with us, how would you describe what we do to someone who knows absolutely nothing about us or who we are?

I would say that CWC is an organization comprised of amazingly generous cosplayers who volunteer their time, energy, skills, and money, to bring joy to the children of our community, as well as aid to other charitable organizations. Through attending local charity events as a feature, performing hospital visits, setting up fundraising tables at local conventions or community events, or any of the other incredible things our organization performs, CWC strives to make a difference in the community.

What do you feel are your best assets, talents, gifts, etc., are, and how did you acquire them?

As far as it comes to my interactions with/on behalf of CWC, I think people enjoy that I am personable, sometimes funny, and can take a decent picture every now and then. No matter what is going on in life, my personal mantra is that being a decent human being costs nothing. Photography was a hard-won skill acquired over years of taking pictures of my wife, purchasing educational courses, involvement with photography communities via forums and social media, and mentoring junior artists.

It seems that lately we are hearing about more and more children who are being bullied or have self-esteem issues, body issues, etc. If a child came to you with any one of the many issues you are aware of, what advice would you give them?

I have struggled through issues with weight (and body dysmorphia), feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness, and we all deal with some sort of bullying in life. Generally, I would tell that child that they alone can decide who they want to be, and how much they want to let the words of others impact their life. And that it is most important to act in a way that you are proud of, no matter what you are going through. I would also tell them that those that put down others are only projecting their own insecurities, fears, and doubts.

Imagine: You are on a deserted island. There is absolutely no way off this island. You are totally alone, with the exception of a magic genie who wants to grant you three wishes. Getting off the island is not one of them. What would your three wishes be and why?

1. Internet access – I would need to keep up with the events in the world, and depending on the geographical location, watch for hurricanes and other powerful storms.
2. Grocery and supply delivery services – Hey, we all buy a lot of crap from Amazon. Why should that change? And a guy’s gotta eat.
3. The ability to adopt pets in need (and bring my dog) – An island sounds like a great place to get a lot of exercise and a private retreat for animals stuck in a shelter!

Many of our members tell us stories of special situations or circumstances in their own personal lives which causes them to have a special place in their heart for charity organizations. Is there any charity or organization that holds a special place in your heart?

Being a survivor of WPW, the American Heart Association always feels close to home. That, and NAMI, for personal reasons regarding my family.

What is your favorite amusement park, and what is your favorite ride within that park?

Locally, my favorite amusement park would have to be Epcot – I just love the convenience of the park, and the fact that there are always food-centric festivals going on. My favorite ride in Epcot has to be either Soarin’, or Cosmic Rewind! Hollywood Studios is growing on me lately, though, with the addition of Galaxy’s Edge.

However, if it was more convenient to get to, I much prefer Disneyland to Walt Disney World. I get emotional and sometimes the chills when I walk into Avengers Campus or Cars Land. It feels like home!

Secret time: What is one thing about you that you think would surprise someone who thinks they know you pretty well.

I never read comics or was majorly into superheroes growing up. But I DID gravitate to any underdog story. I was always a big anime kid, though I couldn’t tell you anything about modern anime shows!

Who is someone you really admire? They can be real or fictional, alive or passed on. What is it about them that you admire and why?

I generally look for the good in people. Doing that, you realize pretty quickly that everybody is admirable in one way or another. However, I would have to say somebody I deeply respect in this world is my mom. Raising my brother and I as mostly a single mother, and hearing her struggles now as an adult, it is incredible how she made it through and instilled us with the values she did. From stories of getting through weeks with $5 to her name, to climbing the corporate ladder despite not having a college degree, and now achieving a lifestyle that most can only dream of through her sheer fortitude and perseverance, she truly is extraordinary.