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The magnitude of the Invisible comic book project led to delays, but fate yielded the perfect date and venue for the official launch. On Armistice Day, 2021 at the US Army Heritage and Education Center, homeless advocates and comic book fans alike joined in the celebration. Comic book writers Pat LaMarche and Phil LaMarche, pencil and ink artist, Jason Seaux, and color and letter artist, Chad Bruce were all on hand to sign copies of the comic. Speakers included Mike Pasinski, Team lead for Housing and Urban Development Veteran’s Affairs Supportive Housing program, who spoke about rental assistance available to veterans; Rev. Matthew Best, pastor of St. Stephen Lutheran Church, who discussed his Flying J Truckstop ministry, Still Left Out podcast co-hosted with Pat LaMarche, and his support of the Homeless Memorial Blanket Project (you can read more about that event below); Stacy Martins, Charles Bruce Foundation board member and Associate Director of Supportive Services for Veteran Families, who explained how the program promotes housing stability among very low-income Veteran families; and Nate Smith, Charles Bruce Foundation board member and co-founder of the tool library, who shared details about the free membership available to all veterans. The program finished with John Locke, president/CEO of Operation Veterans' Hope, promoting the organization which began with a goal of assisting 10% of male homeless veterans get back on their feet. Instead, the program touts a 55% success rate. In keeping with the spirit of support for veterans and persons experiencing homelessness recounted in the comic book, The Charles Bruce Foundation presented a check to Mr. Locke to support the fine work of his organization. Now, you can further the Invisible mission by donating copies of the comic to the Veterans Administration Clinic of your choice. We want to make this important comic freely available to as many veterans as possible, and the waiting rooms of these hospitals are a perfect fit. If you donate $100 using the link below, we will send a set of 20 comic books to a VA Center. |
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The Charles Bruce Foundation Rewards Site |
Donate for items available from the foundation. |
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Next month brings the long-anticipated Homeless Memorial Blanket Project to Carlisle. The event was conceived to link hundreds of gorgeous handmade blankets that, in an important change to the original plans, will now grace the foreground of First Lutheran Church in Carlisle. The project seeks to memorialize the Americans who die in the street. The blanket display will be open for public view beginning at 5:00 pm on December 21st. From 6:00 to 8:00 pm, King's Gap General Store will be providing free soup, and Project Share will be providing bread and rolls to the public. A live webcast, including interviews to explain homelessness and its repercussions, will allow followers to continue to track the event, concluding with the disassembly of the blanket scheduled to begin at 7:30 am on December 22nd. The individual afghans will then be donated to persons experiencing homelessness. |
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The Charles Bruce Foundation continues the tradition of celebrating the holidays with the release of its annual coloring book. This year, we honor Nevin Lehman, the Carlisle native memorialized at a mural dedication that took place in May. As we mentioned in the newsletter at the time, Nevin was a staple of downtown Carlisle who ate as a treasured guest at local restaurants and as a regular at The Salvation Army’s My Brother’s Table Soup Kitchen where he fed his soul and nourished the minds of those he met. This year's coloring book encourages young artists to "Be a Nevin!" Thanks to the kind sponsorship of Whistlestop Books, copies of the coloring book are available for free in the Carlisle area at the book store and other local retailers. They will also be provided, while supplies last, to any children that come see the blanket (see article above). |
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The Priscilla, Princess of the Park series comes to an end with the fourth installment, Priscilla's Picnic with the President, but praise for this important work continues. Eleanor J. Bader provided a positive review for the book in an article featured in The Indypendent on November 17th (a link to the full article is available in the "Peruse the Praise" button below). Bader emphasized, "Pat LaMarche’s deft writing offers a gentle peek into aging, ageism, sexism, political power, heterosexism, bullying, domestic violence and both biological and chosen family." If Bader's review was not enough, Good Day PA brought the author, Pat LaMarche, in for their "Author Spotlight" segment on November 24th, capping off Homeless Awareness Month (a link to the full article is available in the "Priscilla Perspective" button below). If you haven't yet received your copy of Priscilla, be sure to check out the new website to learn more about the book series and secure a copy of your very own (a link to the new website is available in the "Pick Up Priscilla" button below). |
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Note of Reminder: Nutcracker News |
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It’s Nutcracker season. Treat your family to this epic origin story about the unique uncle who bears gifts in Matthew C. Donnell's adorable tale,The Boy with the Patch, illustrated by Fran Piper. Use the "Donate for Foundation Rewards" button below to receive your copy. Better yet, support local by getting a copy at Whistlestop Bookshop or History on High - The Shops. |
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*1:00-3:00 pm, Dec. 4th at Bosler Memorial Library, 158 W High St, Carlisle, PA 17013 - How to Create a Comic Book Superhero with Author Pat LaMarche and Artist Jason Seaux
*4:00-6:00 pm, Dec. 10th at Carlisle Arts Learning Center, 38 W Pomfret St, Carlisle, PA 17013 - Devera Lang Book Launch
*5:00 pm, Dec. 21st at First Lutheran Church of Carlisle, 21 S Bedford St, Carlisle, PA 17013 - Homeless Remembrance Blanket Project
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Remember to share your love for writers, artists, and musicians by encouraging your friends to receive The Charles Bruce Foundation newsletter using the button below. |
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