Know Your Madisonian: Joe Herr, a seasonal leprechaun
Post Date:
Sun, 2010-03-14
Joe Herr stops shaving in January, dyes his brown hair amber orange and then in March dons a pair of pointy ears and sucks on a more-than-foot-long pipe.
His gig as leprechaun Sean Patrick lasts just a few weeks and includes stops at area schools, hospitals and Sunday's St. Patrick's Day parade around the Capitol Square.
Herr's dedication to people with disabilities lasts year-round. The inspiration comes from his son Logan, who was born with cerebral palsy and died at the age of 4 in 2002 of complications from pneumonia.
Herr, 44, a senior project manager at Tri-North Builders in Fitchburg, is the founder of Logan's Heart & Smiles, a foundation that builds ramps, fencing and does other home modifications for those people with a special-needs child. A golf outing, the foundation's primary fundraiser, is scheduled for May 15 at Lake Wisconsin Country Club near Prairie du Sac.
How did you start the foundation?
It was literally the day after he died. Something just came to me that I should start this. I did two ramps that first year and I've done two to five most years, and the foundation did eight projects last year. It's pretty much nights, weekends and some buddies that help me.
How has this foundation helped with your own healing?
I just couldn't walk away from disabled issues and not have done something because I know what these families go through. I just couldn't see not helping people. It gave me something to take care of because caring for Logan was 24/7, and it wasn't a cliche. Then, in a moment's notice, he's gone and there's nothing to take care of anymore.
How long have you been dressing up as a leprechaun?
This will be my fifth year and it (originally) had nothing to do with Logan. All this is was a Halloween costume that grew wild. The proceeds from the parade go to the UW Carbone Cancer Center and now I've been going to the UW Children's Hospital, St. Mary's (Hospital), nursing homes, schools, you name it. But the reason I do that is that I know what it's like to have your child in the hospital. It's fun how something so simple makes so many people happy.
Are you Irish?
No. I'm German. Just short and crazy is all I am.
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By BARRY ADAMS | badams@madison.com | 608-252-6148 | Posted: Saturday, March 13, 2010 6:14 pm
Original Article Link: http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/article_b7126a38-2f01-11df-a879-0...