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Father’s Day tribute to Mr. Lynn Sorbo, Kevin Sorbo’s Dad
Yesterday, June 16, was Father’s Day in the United States. On this day of breakfast-in-bed, dinner out or a barbeque in, and gifts, dads across America received special treatment.
It was also a day of remembrance for the beloved fathers who have passed, like mine, and, as of last October, Kevin’s.
As I commenced to write this introduction, I thought about my dad, a World War II veteran gone these past 23 years, and I still hear his voice saying, “What are you doing?“ and “I love you.” And I cried. I remembered how he taught me the value of working hard and honesty; how to draw, and build things; to laugh often; to respect others; and to love God, country and family.
I imagine Kevin’s dad, Lynn, taught many of these same lessons, and is sorely missed by everyone who knew and loved him. Our hearts and prayers are with Kevin and his family (belatedly) as they celebrate Father’s Day, and we wish them the best that God and life can offer.
Mara from Brazil met Kevin’s parents, Lynn and Ardis Sorbo, at his 2010 Kevin Sorbo Golf Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. She spoke very highly of them and their kindness as you will read in her following story.
I met Mr. Lynn Sorbo in Las Vegas at Kevin’s golf event in 2010.
My dear friend, Carol, and I were entering the hall where the dinner would happen as the auction in aid of WFIT (A World Fit For Kids!) at Planet Hollywood Hotel.
We had arrived early, hoping to get a seat at the table right next to Kevin’s… He, of course, was moving in all directions, trying to get things to work out perfectly. We had hugged him already… even that busy Kevin was lovely enough to get a picture with us.
The huge room was very nice, and dozens of large, round tables (were) spread around. A spectacular buffet was ready to be served with an excellent dinner, and near the entrance doors all the great items that had been donated for the event that would be part of the silent auction were artistically exposed.
We found a table right next to the stage… and there they were … a couple of lovely older pretty people whose faces I had only seen in photographs along with Kevin’s.
They were already seated and talking and seemed to be enjoying the movement around. Carol and I then got closer, a bit shy because we did not mean to bother them, and introduced ourselves.
Mr. Lynn Sorbo and his lovely wife Ardis then smiled at us, surprised that two fans were at the event, especially me, who came from afar. He’d just grabbed something and said, smiling, that he was a little hungry… They both embraced us warmly and posed for a photo with me and Carol.
I’ve always had enormous curiosity about Kevin’s parents because he always refers to them with reverence and admiration.
I remember Kevin smiling on an interview some time ago and saying (that) his dad taught him how to make his marriage last: “It’s easy… you just agree with her and say ‘yes’ all the time…”
Kevin always says the two biggest examples in his life ̶ his heroes ̶ are his parents. They had supported him to go in search of his dream as an actor, and their support gave
Kevin strength to seek opportunities far away from home.
I had taken a statuette from Brazil with me ̶ a gift to Kevin and Sam ̶ and was not sure on how to deliver it to them because they were both too busy… Then it occurred to me to ask Kevin’s parents to hand it to Kevin for me. Both kindly agreed and took care of the job for me with lovely warm smiles of gratitude.
Mrs. Sorbo then told me about how wonderful a son Kevin is. She told us that he had given them a house, and that (it) was the greatest gift in the world for them. She told us how she had been afflicted about (the) “Hercules” episode, “The Mother of All Monsters,” when Hercules is mortally wounded by an arrow… She said she could not see the episode because it was as if their son were injured. I’m sure if we had had more time, she and Mr. Sorbo would have told us more lovely things about Kevin…
Kevin’s parents had received us as if we had known them forever, like we were old friends, the same way Kevin talks to his fans at the conventions. He certainly learned from his parents to treat people with the same kindness and attention.
Carol and I were really moved. We returned to our table and the dinner went, followed by the auction. Kevin moved around a lot, but when he would be seated at the table with his parents, I realized his love for them and the pride of Mr. Sorbo for his son.
Kevin’s parents withdrew early, and as they passed by our table, I thanked them again for their kindness… Mr. Sorbo, laughing, said he was old and needed to sleep early… He had a beautiful way to laugh.
In Kevin’s book, True Strength: My Journey from Hercules to Mere Mortal–and How Nearly Dying Saved My Life, there is a chapter in which Kevin’s mom writes that when her son fell ill, Mr. Sorbo asked many prayers to his church’s pastor and sent several books about faith and healing to Kevin. Mr. Lynn Sorbo was a religious man, a good man, a great father and a great husband, and certainly will be missed by a lot of friends.
http://www.truestrengthbook.com/
Sam wrote about Mr. Lynn Sorbo on her blog: “…my lovely father-in-law passed away just a month ago, on my birthday. He was a very special man and a terrific grandpa to my three children and all his grandchildren, … It is a time to celebrate the joyous memories of the man who raised my husband-to-be with love and devotion, so he would become the tremendous father that he is, and Lynn lives on in him; a chance to remember the great gift of our time with Lynn and our own children. As my 7-year-old daughter pointed out to Grandma, hand on her heart, ‘He’s not gone, Grandma, because I have him here in my heart.’ It is an opportunity to memorialize Lynn’s wonderful presence in our lives–a gift, for which we are obliged to show our gratitude.”
http://samsorbo.wordpress.com/2012/11/21/what-thanksgiving-means-to-me/#comment-786
Kevin wrote about his dad on his blog: “…I looked expectantly to my father’s face to observe his experience of my children. As a deeply Christian man, he loved the holiday and my babies’ wondrous expressions at glistening lights and caroling bells. He had a deep, bellowing laugh and his smile was infectious. He understood before I did the age-old saying, ‘Youth is wasted on the young.’ Babies and children sparkle and glow with possibilities invisible to realistic adults. …He had had a marvelous baritone voice and he had sung in a church choir his entire life. Like a young child, I yearned to hear his deep voice soothe me again. My last visit with him, I took his hand into mine and with my left hand and gently stroked his head.”
http://kevinsorboblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/19/christmas-comfort/
Happy Father’s Day, Kevin!
(Story photos by Mara; family photos courtesy of Kevin Sorbo)
Kevin Sorbo OEKSFC Birthday Project 2013 update… We can’t stop there!
Hi, Everyon
e,
Here’s a brief update about the Official European Kevin Sorbo Fan Club (OEKSFC) Birthday Project 2013 benefiting Kevin’s foundation, A World Fit Kids!, in honor of his 39th birthday on September 24, 2013.
Anne, one of the OEKSFC triumvirate, recently posted on the club’s fine website and Facebook pages that we have received 303.80 Euros/400.78 Dollars in donations to date. How awesome is that???
And how awesome are YOU for your kind donations, sharing our pages and information, and supporting Kevin and WFIT?! We salute you for your tireless and generous efforts. Many thanks, everyone!
But, we can’t stop there.
As you know, Kevin works hard at everything he does, and extra-hard for WFIT. So, we want to work extra-hard for them, too, not just because we are Kevin’s fans and WFIT supporters, but, because we believe in what they do to help these kids to have hope, strength, health and futures. They are our future… They are the world’s future… They are A World Fit For Kids!
Please continue to spread the word about this great project. Every contribution counts no matter how small or large.
We need you!
WFIT needs you!
Kevin needs you!
Please see the OEKSFC website for how to donate:
http://kevin-sorbo.blogspot.de/p/blog-page.html
Also, “Like” and share the Official European Kevin Sorbo Fan Club – Birthdayproject 2013 Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/OeksfcBirthdayproject2013
Thank you, again, my friends. Kevin’s fans are the BEST!
(Images courtesy of the OEKSFC)
Jazz your June with these awesome Kevin Sorbo calendars!
Don’t you just love these awesome, HOT Kevin calendars from our very own, ultra-talented Sanne, Loli, Malena and Mara? Woof!
Calling all Chicken Soup lovers… Kevin Sorbo wants your stories!
Chicken Soup for the Soul, that is. Please see below for information as to how to get your stories published in a new book that Kevin is working on and donate much-needed funds to his foundation, A World Fit For Kids! How cool is that?!
****REVISED****
Looking for stories to help kids be heroes and also to benefit A World Fit for Kids!
Submission deadline is June 30, 2013.
Book goes on sale in October, 2013.
After the success of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive, our bestselling book for adults, we decided to make a version for children, too. We have teamed with Kevin Sorbo, who is not only a successful actor, known to many as the hero, Hercules, but is also the spokesperson and chair for A World Fit for Kids!, a successful mentoring program that trains teens to become heroes to the kids in their own neighborhoods by using the vehicles of school, fitness, sports and positive role models. The program is unique because of the powerful format of “kids teaching kids,” and its success rate is astounding! Working with more than 12,000 children in the Los Angeles School District, it has a 100% graduation rate in a school system that has a 54% dropout rate.
Bringing positive messages to kids at all socioeconomic levels in all kinds of schools is of paramount importance in a fast-paced world filled with technology and choices, temptations and challenges for children. Now, more than ever, it’s important for parents, grandparents, teachers and other mentors to sit down with kids, get quiet, and talk. And one of the best ways to start a conversation with a child is by reading a story about another child first.
That’s the goal of Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive for Kids–to start conversations with children about core values, good examples, making good decisions, and 
having the courage to do the right thing. The values that children learn today will stay with them for the rest of their lives. We hope to contribute to the building blocks that create tomorrow’s wonderful young adults through this book for today’s children.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive for Kids will contain 101 stories that tell stories about issues that are important to children. It is geared for children 12 years of age and under. The stories can be read to younger children, read by older children, and discussed with adults. The stories will be personal anecdotes that are entertaining and also impart a lesson. For example, someone might write about that summer at camp when she got up the courage to invite an unpopular girl to her house, even though other girls made fun of her for doing it. Or someone might write about the time he found a $10.00 bill on the ground and turned it in to the teacher instead of keeping it, and was glad that he did because there was a new immigrant crying because she had lost that bill and it was her family’s money for dinner that night.
The stories can be just plain fun as well. Someone might write about the time that he spent a month practicing saying, “hello,” to a girl and then she said, “hello,” back and it was all worth it. That kind of story can help a lot of kids, too, as they wrestle with private social dramas.
Stories should be written in a way that kids can understand, but contributors do not need any special ability to write for children. Just focus on one theme per story, keep the message clear, and don’t talk down to kids or try to use “cool” language–they see right through that. We’d like to keep stories in the 500-1200 word range.
We are looking for stories from your own childhood, or about children you know, written in the first person, that both entertain and educate children, and that expose them to positive thinking and good values. These stories will show children how to make good choices… even when no one is looking, how to respect the needs and feelings of others, how to develop their own self-esteem, and how to stay true to their convictions. The stories will remind kids that each day holds something to be grateful for and show them that they are not alone in dealing with difficult issues.
Some of the themes and issues we want to address are:
- Bullying
- Relationships with friends and family
- Divorce
- Moving
- Crushes and relating to the opposite sex
- Self-acceptance
- Helping others
- Being different
- Physical and mental disabilities
- Following rules
- “Telling” on someone when it will help them
- Doing the right thing even when it’s hard
- How it feels to do the right thing
We are not planning to include stories that might be too mature for younger readers, such as stories about abuse. We are also a “Santa safe” company–we keep the magic alive for all our readers.
If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200.00 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100.00. You will retain the copyright for your story, and you will retain the right to resell it.
SUBMISSIONS GO TO:
http://chickensoup.com
Please indicate with your submission that you are a Kevin Sorbo fan… You might just go to the front of the line!
Select the “Submit Your Story” link on the left tool bar and follow the directions:
http://www.chickensoup.com/form.asp?cid=submit_story
The deadline for story submissions is June 30, 2013, with the book going on sale in October 2013.
Here’s the link to order Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive for Kids:
(Image left courtesy of Kevin Sorbo; image right courtesy of Chicken Soup for the Soul)
Donate to Kevin Sorbo’s Birthday Project and help save lives!
Yes, it’s that time of year when we, Kevin’s fans, wonder what to get the Big Guy who has everything… or we think he has everything… for his 39th birthday (again) on September 24.
Our greatest g
ift is the gift of life that keeps on giving in the form of a donation to the Official European Kevin Sorbo Fan Club (OEKSF) annual Birthday Project benefiting Kevin’s foundation, A World Fit For Kids! (WFIT).
As many of you know, WFIT has had a special place in Kevin’s heart since 1997 when he was approached by Normandie Nigh, WFIT’s CEO, to help raise funds for the Los Angeles-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that combats childhood obesity, provides positive role models, and promotes teen mentoring. WFIT has positively impacted the lives of over 200,000 youth through its healthy behaviors and youth development programs in communities with some of the highest obesity rates and lowest high school graduation rates in Los Angeles, according to its website.
Every amount counts to save the lives of these beautiful children who might otherwise have no hope, obtain no job or life skills, need help with learning, and/or fall through the cracks of an uncaring educational or government system that only recognizes numbers, not potential. We need you!
Won’t you please help?
Here’s how to donate:
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/OeksfcBirthdayproject2013
Contact us here:
http://www.kevin-sorbo.com/impressum.html
And once again the OEKSFC is offering for you to sign their beautifully-designed Birthday Book to Kevin for free!
Please add your birthday wishes here:
http://www.kevin-sorbo.com/birthdaybook_2013.html
Both projects will close on September 28, 2013!
So, please consider donating, and share, share, share this post!
Many thanks from me, the OEKSFC team, Kevin and WFIT.
Let’s make this year Kevin’s best birthday ever! Yeah!!!
(Photo left courtesy of Kevin Sorbo; banner courtesy of OEKSFC)
Kevin Sorbo receives fan-made Andromeda cross-stitch
Kevin’s fans are so creative in many ways from painting and computer art to writing and crafts. This lovely story is from Pilar in Spain, who sent it quite a while ago, and who made an amazing cross-stitch for Kevin. My humblest apologies for posting it so late, Pilar. Enjoy!
In January, 2011, my good friend, Teresa, asked me to make an artwork by using the cross-stitch so she could offer it to her idol, Kevin Sorbo, at the Film Festival in Estepona, Spain, in September, 2011.
She asked me to do it by using the ship of Kevin’s (television) series, “Andromeda,” so, I did it, and wrote “Sorbo/Hunt” on it.
Please take a look at Kevin holding it:
http://recuerdosyregalosenpuntodecruz.blogspot.com/2011/09/ampliando-horizontes.html
For me it feels so good being able to show you the photo right now. I’m very grateful to Teresa for it – it gives me great pleasure looking at my artwork in its owner’s hands.
Here’s Pilar’s beautiful work:
Kevin Sorbo May calendars… Extra Yummy!
Hi, everyone, so sorry that I missed the past two months of calendars. But, here are the extra yummy ones for May from our great artists Loli, Sanne and Mara. Thanks, ladies!
