WICKER PARK — A tattoo artist in Wicker Park spent Monday in the neighborhood performing acts of "carrorism" — a play on the word "terrorism" that he says refers to gestures that show the people around you that you care.
Derek Mullins, owner of Metamorph Tattoo Studios, grew up on a downstate Illinois farm and has lived in Chicago for 20 years. On Monday, Mullins gave away the last two of 10 donated CityPaks stuffed with food, toiletries and warm weather gear to Jerome B. under the North Avenue Kennedy Expressway ramp and Harold H., who was sleeping outside near the Franciscan Outreach Association's Marquard Center, 1645 W. Le Moyne St., about a block west of the expressway.
Mullins said that the 10 CityPak bags, given to him by "a friend in corporate America" who wishes to remain anonymous, are made by outdoor gear manufacturer High Sierra as part of a philanthropic campaign and are designed to withstand harsh outdoor weather conditions.
High Sierra's CityPaks, which are specifically "designed with the needs of the homeless in mind," include additional features like an integrated poncho that protects both the bag and the wearer, a combination buckle, velcro and cinch-top closure for added security, and an interior document pocket for important papers.
Over this past weekend, Carter Dorsey, a friend of Mullins who works at The Silver Room in Hyde Park, gave away three of the bags to homeless folks in Hyde Park, while Mullins, who lives in Pilsen, delivered five bags to people near the 18th Street viaduct.
Mullins posted a tongue-in-cheek announcement about the effort on his Facebook page on Sunday:
"CARRORIST ACTIVITY IN CHICAGO. Bolo. They have struck 4 times today alone... giving out survival backpacks to the homeless... Warning: If you see these people striking an innocent target with winter gear and survival supplies DO NOT approach! Just watch their activity and copy that behavior. PLEASE SHARE. Spread the word."
Mullins said the bags contain three pairs of regular socks, three pair of winter thermal socks, three pairs of thermal underwear, light and heavy winter gloves, a heavy and light raincoat, baby wipes, a toothbrush and toothpaste, an umbrella and non-perishable food like nuts, granola and other snacks.
Some of the CityPaks also contained feminine hygiene products.
The inspiration to give the bags away came from a homeless man Mullins met last summer who was living on the street and eventually accepted Mullins' offer of food and water.
"I live frugally in a 500-square-foot apartment and when I got home [from helping the man last summer], I looked around and thought, I have a mansion. I have hot and cold running water, food, shelter, access to the Internet," Mullins said.
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