Super Tim to the Super Bowl.

Our goal:

Tim Brennan saved his neighbors from a 6-alarm fire in New York during Hurricane Sandy. Now, we're sending him to New Orleans for the Super Bowl. We're raising money for Breezy Point--his hometown--right here in honor of his trip to the game.

What is this about?

Hi. My name is Robert and I started a photography project called Dear World. I ask each person I photograph to share one message that helps them move through this crazy thing we call life.

Sometimes, when bad things happen to good people, my team and I go and ask them to share messages too.

That's how we met Tim Brennan (that's him in the video!) in his hometown of Breezy Point, NY.

He grabbed his paddleboard and saved several of his neighbors during the fire that wiped out 111 homes in Breezy Point during Hurricane Sandy.

Now, we're sending him to the Super Bowl in New Orleans. 

The plane and game tickets are are already CONFIRMED!

We're asking people to watch and share Tim's story. And if able, to donate to Breezy Point, New York in his name and as part of his trip to the Super Bowl.

This campaign ends on Super Bowl Sunday and we're excited to see how much we can raise as a thank you to Tim for being awesome and reminding us all that the reason why we we fall is so we can get up again.

We've set the goal at the minimum--$500--but fully expect to exceed that.

We've got some amazing perks including prints of his Dear World portrait, a Dear World photo session, paddleboarding lessons from Tim and my favorite a personal excursion to Breezy Point once his home is rebuilt (expected late 2013/early 2014).

Where is the $$$$ GOING?

All the money we raise will be donated to the to the Breezy Point Disaster Relief Fund, a 501c3 non profit tasked with helping rebuild Breezy Point, New York. They are doing great work and this is where Tim has asked any money raised to go.

The tickets, airfare and lodging are all sponsored. Totally paid for! So all your money (less printing/framing costs for print perks) will be going directly to Breezy Point Disaster Relief Fund in Tim's name and his honor. 

Who is Timothy Brennan?

As we filmed and took portraits of other Breezy Point residents, we watch Timothy Brennan mucking out his childhood home located on Gotham Walk.

By day, Tim is an ironworker. Before Sandy hit, he worked on the Freedom Tower, 108 stories above New York.

He has a rough and tumble Noo Yawk brogue, and a California penchant
for paddlebording.

When Hurricane Sandy ignited that 6-alarm fire, Tim ushered several neighbors to safety in waist high water.

He put on his black wet suit, grabbed his board and cleared a path as the water rose and the fire flew.

You can see what’s left of his home. It’s the one with the American flag on the right.

Now, each day, he returns to this site.

To his childhood home.

He digs for the little things.

The memories.

The biggest reward of returning each day?

His mom’s engagement ring.

“What’s that line?” he asked.

“The reason why we fall…is so you can get up again?”

At home, I googled the first few words. It sounded about right but not quite.

It’s actually dialogue between Bruce Wayne and Alfred from Batman Begins.

Bruce Wayne: I wanted to save Gotham. I've failed.
Alfred: Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up.

This is Timothy Brennan. He is a New Yorker, and a damn good guy, and
his home used to be on Gotham Walk.

He assures me it will be there again, someday, soon.

He's a fighter, but everybody needs a break. We're excited to be able to bring him to New Orleans for some much needed rest.

Best,

Robert  

Robert X. Fogarty began asking residents of New Orleans to write a love note to the City the year the Saints won the Super Bowl. Now his project, Dear World asks people to share one message that matters in his distinct message-on-skin style.

His work has been featured on CNN, PBS and Oprah.com. You can see more portraits at www.dearworld.me