Superheroes take up grime-fighting as window washers at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center – Omaha World-Herald

The sun glinted off Lola McKamys iridescent pink cape as she strolled through the lobby of Childrens Hospital & Medical Center. Two of her brothers, Henry and Finn, followed close behind in red capes.

Then Lola, 3, zipped ahead and announced, Theyre here!

A special crew piled out of an ambulance: Batman, Robin, Superman, Spider-Man and Captain America. The superheroes visited the Omaha hospital Monday and swapped crime-fighting for cleaning. Before washing the six-floor hospitals windows, they met and posed for pictures with eager young patients and families in the lobby.

This was the fourth year that Buck McGraw, who strongly resembles Bruce Wayne, and his colleagues from Fisher Building Services have dressed up on the job.

Donning the costumes makes window washing a little tougher and hotter but it cheers up the patients.

Theyre not here because its summer camp, so we want to make them smile, McGraw, er, Batman said. When they come up to the windows and you see them smiling, its worth it.

The McKamy trio, of Concord, Nebraska, was at the hospital to visit their newborn brother, Huxley. The baby underwent surgery for Hirschsprung disease, a condition affecting the large intestine.

Meeting superheroes made the hospital visit a little more exciting, said their mother, Brooke McKamy.

After Lola landed photos with each superhero, she ran over to give her grandma a high-five. And Finn, 15 months, took to the Caped Crusaders sidekick, Robin.

After the superheroes visited in the lobby, they headed to the hospital roof, where, still in capes and full costumes they fastened their harnesses and ropes.

The special guests were well-received, but some kids, including Zoe Groff, hoped to spot Wonder Woman.

There was a boy Wonder Woman, Zoe said. Her mom laughed the little girl was referring to Captain America.

The 6-year-old, at the hospital for a heart condition, was taken by surprise when the cleaning crew knocked on the window. Later, her twin sister Chloe pressed her hands against the glass and peered down, watching the cleaners outside, floors below.

It boosts your spirits, and its something different, said the Lincoln twins mother, Lacey Groff. I think its just awesome they dress up to do the windows.

Luke Schwarz of Winslow, Nebraska, took a break from sorting his football card collection to watch Spider-Man and Captain America scrub the windows with soapy water and squeegees. The 8-year-old, who was hospitalized for issues with diabetes, crouched on his rooms window seat as the heroes slowly descended from the roof.

It definitely makes (being in the hospital) easier. Its more entertainment than staring at these four walls, said mom Amanda Schwarz.

kelsey.stewart@owh.com, 402-444-3100, twitter.com/kels2

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Superheroes take up grime-fighting as window washers at Children's Hospital & Medical Center - Omaha World-Herald