‘MoonDog’ Helping to Raise Funds for Greater Wheeling Soup Kitchen

He never really bugged anyone on purpose, but he bothered people all the same. Not everyone. Some loved. It was those who didn’t understand Charles Waldrum who taunted judgment. Called names. Hurt his feelings.

Most have known him as, “MoonDog,’ a moniker he loves to hate and hates to love, and they know his bike, the flags, the firefighter coat, and those big white eyes he beams when saying hello. But Charles, though, hasn’t been seen for some time now, and that’s because he’s been living in the Peterson Rehabilitation Hospital the past few years.

All the patrols took a toll.

He enjoys visitors and holiday cards, and “Moondog” has become inside Peterson’s walls what he was while roaming his merry way along the streets of his hometown. He was our protector, our escort, and once he learned his fascination with fire could be dangerous if not deadly, Charles turned his attention to his unofficial career as an off-the-record first responder.

Many can tell tales. Some know “Moondog” well. All seem to miss him.

“We all know Charles,” said Becky Shilling-Rodocker, executive director of the Greater Wheeling Soup Kitchen. “Folks who work, volunteer, and attend the Soup Kitchen mostly all know of Charles and some were very dear friends. We all miss seeing him around Wheeling.”

But Charles soon will have yet another positive impact on his beloved city now that artist Daniel Finsley has launched his third fundraiser for the Greater Wheeling Soup Kitchen. In 2018, Finsley, the owner of Finsley Creative, designed a “Wheeling State of Mind” t-shirt that featured Waldrum’s likeness and he sold more than 600 t-shirts and raised a little more than $5,000. A second effort in 2019 generated another $500 for the non-profit.

Finsley launched a third fundraiser for the Soup Kitchen yesterday and, after receiving permission from the Waldrum family, once again will utilize an image of “Moondog” that originated from a photo captured by LEDE publisher Steve Novotney. Finsley also is offering three additional options that include Waldrum’s likeness.

“Becky from the Soup Kitchen hired me to do their updated website and content photography a few months back. Through all three photography sessions, I got in there and witnessed what it was all about, how they operated, and how much they care for our people<” Finsley explained. “Man, that resonated with me deeply,” Finsley said. “The very second he stopped patrolling our city, we all felt it. It was as if our city was missing something. It’s just not the same, and it never will be again.

“I feel that Charles brought such a charm to our streets that is forever unmatched,” he said. “I get stopped whenever I wear my shirts or hoodies in public. It never fails. And it always ends up with, ‘I miss seeing him around town.’ And my response is always the same, with a little smile … ‘Man, me too.’”

Bottoms Up

While city government and a plethora of non-profits develop solutions for a managed camp for the unsheltered, demand for services at the Soup Kitchen has fluctuated along with the city’s homeless population.

Lately, however, Shilling-Rodocker, her staff, and those who donate have been asked for more and more.

“The increase of meals served has been steadily rising,” she explained. “This is also due to the Soup Kitchen being open 7 days a week now. People have more access. This year we could easily provide over 180,000 meals and soon this number will mostly increase to over 200,000 meals a year. More awareness of how easily good, decent, well-rounded meals can be obtained could also be a factor in the rising number.

“It’s not just homeless and poverty-stricken,” Shilling-Rodocker confirmed. “It can also be middle-income families who’ve had struggles or maybe someone got sick maybe someone lost a job. But we are accessible by anybody and in the community. In the past five years, the trend has been subtly more meals are being served each year and more services are being offered.”

That’s why Finsley, now that he has reacquired his Wheeling Threads business, has launched a new philanthropic campaign with four options, one of which is fashioned from a photo taken of Charles by journalist Novotney.

“It’s just wholesome,” the local artist and businessman. “It shows Charles’ true form of the gentle and caring man he is. When I look at that photo, I feel safe. And if anyone knows Charles, you probably feel the same. It brings a happy sigh of relief when we need it most, you know?

“(The fundraiser will last) exactly 30 days. No more. No less. And they may never be back,” Finsley said. “Again, I ask you, Wheeling, let’s come together and really do this right. All proceeds will be given to our Soup Kitchen, so let’s put our money where our mouth is. Deal?”