About Capes4Heroes 

Capes4Heroes Founder - Barbara Casados

Barbara Casados’ second son, Maddox is Autistic.  With this comes many challenges, one of which is getting dressed each day.  At the age of 2, he refused to wear anything but a superhero cape.  Rather than struggling through the daily battle, Barbara did what any other mother would do. She bribed him! If he would agree to let her dress him, Maddox would be able to wear his superhero cape for the day. It worked! Soon after that she purchased a sewing machine, taught herself to sew and began making her son every different type of superhero cape imaginable.  He wore his capes everywhere, including to his special needs school.  

Other parents began seeing the impact that the superhero cape had on Maddox and wanted to have one for their child.  They reached out to Barbara and Kiss The Toad Creations. One thing led to another and soon Barbara and her team of amazing seamstresses were making superhero capes for children all over the country. Capes4Heroes®, was officially born!

To date, Capes4Heroes has personalized and delivered over 25,000 capes to children all over the United States, as well as worldwide.  Heroes have received their capes at superhero parties, camps, hospitals and elsewhere.  

 

Making a Difference in the Lives of Our Heroes

Featured Articles & Media Appearences 

Featured
Not All Heroes Wear Capes – Comcast Employee, Barbara Casados, Taps into a Unique Superpower with the Help of a Sewing Machine
Not All Heroes Wear Capes – Comcast Employee, Barbara Casados, Taps into a Unique Superpower with the Help of a Sewing Machine

How much does it take to put a smile on a child’s face? For 25,000 children, it takes 10 years, 50 volunteers, and 50,000 yards of material. It takes 25,000 hours of sewing, bent over, running material through a sewing machine, to make 25,000 capes.

Capes4Heroes at LPCH
Capes4Heroes at LPCH

NBC Bay Area News at 5 reports on Capes4Heroes at LPCH. Capes4Heros delivered more than 100 superhero capes to patients battling serious illness.

These Volunteers Make Superhero Capes for Children with Disabilities
These Volunteers Make Superhero Capes for Children with Disabilities

Barbara Casados is the founder of Capes for Heroes, a volunteer organization that sews superhero capes for children who are living life with a disability or facing a debilitating illness. And while a little bit of fabric that ties around your neck might not seem like much, Casados has seen countless kids sprout smiles once it goes on. Such a small thing, but it can easily double a child’s confidence.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes — Some Make Them For Kids Who Need Inspiration Instead
Not All Heroes Wear Capes — Some Make Them For Kids Who Need Inspiration Instead

Not all heroes wear capes — some just make them. Barbara Casados is the founder of Capes4Heroes, a web-based nonprofit that provides capes to children "that are battling a disability or life struggle" and, as a result, has given out more than 25,000 capes.

Mr. Wildcat show lives up to its heroic proportions
Mr. Wildcat show lives up to its heroic proportions

The Mr. Wildcat competition, the annual twist on a “beauty pageant” for senior male DV students, was superhero-themed this year, incorporating involvement with a non-profit charity, Capes 4 Heroes. Capes 4 Heroes focuses on giving superhero capes to children who face disabilities and life-threatening illnesses. Over the course of two months, the 14 Mr. Wildcat candidates worked hard to not only put on an entertaining show, but also visited the charity, even presenting capes to some of these children.

Superhero Saturday
Superhero Saturday

Many children dream of becoming superheroes. Last weekend, thanks to California-based nonprofit Capes4Heroes and local collaborators in Chapel Hill, more than 80 pediatric patients at N.C. Children’s Hospital were able to live that dream.

How one nonprofit helps ill kids feel like superheroes
How one nonprofit helps ill kids feel like superheroes

Five-year-old Rylee Cornell’s smile lit up the Ronald McDonald House as she showed off her Captain America cape with an R on the back. Her grandparents, Mike and Nancy Cornell, couldn’t stop smiling, either. She can use the extra power because this morning, Rylee will be undergoing a grueling heart catheterization.

Capes4Heroes Joins Forces with Accela
Capes4Heroes Joins Forces with Accela

Accela, a San Ramon-based government software company, is partnering with Capes4Heroes to make a difference in the lives of children battling life-threatening illnesses and disabilities. Accela will host a breakfast at its headquarters in Bishop Ranch on April 15, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. to raise money for the local organization.

“Superhero” capes for Oklahoma school children
“Superhero” capes for Oklahoma school children

Barbara Casados, center, along with Jean Markle, left, and Sherry Hook, sew together the fabric for some of the 250 "Superhero" capes they are making for school children in Moore, Oklahoma, that were affected by the devastating tornados in May.

Making Capes in Danville for Kids in Moore, OK
Making Capes in Danville for Kids in Moore, OK

The Kiss the Toad Creations organization is sewing as fast as they can to make 250 capes for the children of Moore, Okla.

Superhero Appreciation

Share your superhero story with us! Please feel free to email us or connect on Facebook. Here's what moms, dads, and other advocates are saying...

Featured
Capes4Heroes Thanks - Fallon

“Sometimes real superheroes live in the hearts of small children fighting big battles. 💙💙💙 Both of these girls are the most courageous and resilient little girls I’ve ever met. Elaina fights a lifelong battle against her body daily and she never stops smiling after everything she’s been through. Being a sibling of someone with a lifelong illness also takes a lot of bravery. Elaina’s sister, Adalynn, is also so brave and courageous for being so strong for her little sister and trying to help whenever she can, and this little girl who is only 4 years old has witnessed so much with her sister (we’ve always tried to distract her when things have happened, but sometimes that doesn’t always happen) and when Elaina has hospital stays and Adalynn has to stay away from home and her sister; I can’t get over how courageous my first born is. These girls are the definition for of true heroes. Thank you to Capes4Heroes for recognizing all true heroes! ❤️❤️❤️” -Fallon

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Kayna

“In 6 days Hunter turns 4. Hunter received his cape when he was a year and a half.. It has given him super hero strength and followed him through various procedures.. Hunter is as grateful for his cape, as is mommy & daddy. It's getting smaller but we love it o-so much. Thanks again for years of strength. (We are at the dr's today!)” -Kayna

Superhero Thanks - Beth

“Kynedi would like to thank her sponsors for her cape! It couldn’t have come at a better time. Today she underwent a full spine MRI with anesthesia so this was truly a blessing to find in our mailbox when we got home! She truly is a superhero! Thank you ALL for what you do for our wonderful kiddos that don’t realize how amazing they really are! 💜💕💜" - Beth

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Jenifer

“Thank you & the sponsor for our daughters Whitney & Kaitlyn Benz! It will be put to excellent use next week!

Whitney has severe anxiety and has chronic GI issues. She doesn't know how brave she already is, but until she realizes it, the cape helps her feel brave. She did her super hero pose!

Kaitlyn is our trooper. She never complains about the time her siblings require... Kaitlyn herself has had 17 surgeries in her young life, with several more to go for her cleft lip and palate. Despite being only 17yrs old & in her second year of college, she still loves the cape (she had one many years ago, she outgrew)! Her cape hangs on her bed in her dorm, she enjoys & gets comfort from having the cape at college as well as for hospital visits. Don't let the grumpy face about mom taking a photo fool you, she loves it!” -Jenifer

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Kerry

“My son is 6 with ASD, ADHD, Spd, and he is dealing with anxiety and grief after losing his dad on Easter in 2014. He received this cape and he absolutely loves it. It went on vacation with us and he sleeps wih it every night. It makes him happy and that makes me happy. Thank you very much.” -Kerry

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Jenifer

“Thank you & the sponsor for our son, Nathan! Nathan is an amazing child that I am blessed to call my son! God has an amazing plan for him. He gets tired very easily, and typically sleeps with his Tonka trucks. He's not a fan of pictures, but his sisters snuck this one.
Nathan has expressive language delays which fustrates him when he thinks/functions at a much higher level than he can talk. Having the cape is another way that helps him cope and express himself... Especially with the medical challenges he faces every day. “ -Jenifer

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Ash

“This is Super Johnny our #msudcfwarrior! Johnny was diagnosed with Maple Syrup Urine Disease and Cystic Fibrosis when he was 4 days old. He is the only person in the U.S. to have both diseases simultaneously (only the second in the entire world!). Thank you so, so much for his cape! In our eyes, and all those who know him, he truly is a super hero and warrior!!” -Ash

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Brittany

“We cannot thank our sponsors enough for giving our hero such a precious gift. We are so amazed at the love and support we receive from such kindhearted people. This is such an amazing organization and we are so blessed that there are people out there like you all that do all you can for all the children out there fighting battles. Again, thank you all and God bless!! “ -Brittany

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Kelly

“Thank you Capes4Heroes!!! Amazing organization and team of people sending smiles to kids all over through Superhero Capes. Our Hunter just so happens to be our Superhero so it's perfect! Checkout this amazing non-profit and support them! Thank you Barbara and Capes4Hereos” -Kelly

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Jackie

“Huge thank you to Capes4Heros! My daughter Nora loves her very own handmade cape with princesses and a big letter 'N' on the back for Nora! Learn more about Nora's story and early onset congenital scoliosis on her Facebook page.” -Jackie

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Shana

“I received a Cape for my daughter at Omaha Comic Con, my daughter has seizures and she loves wearing capes when going to the doctors and was so excited when she received it. Only 3 and she was so excited to receive a cape in her favorite color when I gave it to her she said "I'm a real Hero now!" She has no idea that she's always been and always will be my hero! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for giving my daughter something special that she just loves! Thank you!” -Shana

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Kourtney

"Thank you for Marshall's cape and superhero certificate! He was all smiles and even left it on for 5 minutes which is a long time with his sensory processing disorder. He carried it around for a while then placed it on the back of his stroller that he uses all the time so I'm sure it will go everywhere with us. Thank you again so much!" -Kourtney

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Jenny

“I don't know how...and I don't know who...but someone nominated my Super Austin for Cape 4 Heroes. Thank you for seeing the strength in my son. Thank you for stitching hope into every seam. We will be taking it to Texas Childrens Monday when we go for his next infusion!” -Jenny

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Amy

“Hello! This is 11 month old Baby Alma who received her Cape with a big A on the back. She is indeed a superhero. Alma was diagnosed with Biliary Atresia at 2 months old and has spent months of her short life in the hospital and undergone numerous surgeries, including hopefully her final one, a liver transplant on February 19th of this year. She is doing well finally and starting to catch up with her growing and tummy time. Thank you for her cape! <3 She is our big hero!” -Amy

Capes4Heroes Thanks - Amy

“It's a hummingbird! It's a model airplane! It's SuperArlo! Because of Down syndrome-related defects, Arlo has had two surgeries and spent all but 7 days of his little life in the hospital. He's had some other health problems and challenges, but our hero is making progress and will vanquish this dastardly foe! His story, and that of his twin, is at Baby Happy Pants. Thanks for the cape, Capes4Heroes!” -Amy

Superhero Thanks - Dawn

"I want to thank you and the sponsors of my son Aiden's cape. He received it today and loves it. He is 6 years old and has non verbal autism and sensory issues. He loves his tablet, Thomas trains and books. We really appreciate the cape very much. Thanks again." -Aiden and Mom (Dawn)

Give a Superhero a Cape Today!