Geek & Sundry fans have made it clear that they are truly amazing people through their kindness and giving nature. The Twitch community alone has raised over $240,000! For all of you wonderful people, here’s a list of popular comic conventions that also like to give back. If you plan to attend one or more of these conventions, consider being the superhero we all deserve by participating in their awesome events.
Comic Con
Image Credit: Comic-Con International
Yes, the big daddy of cons, SDCC, usually has a couple of charity events happening around its doors. SDCC hosts the Robert A. Heinlein “Pay It Forward” Blood Drive every year. The Heinlein Society is a philanthropic organization that has partnered with multiple conventions to host blood drives and “Pay It Forward”. You can find out more about the society, including which cons host the blood drive, here.
In addition to the blood drive and offsite events, there’s usually a panel or two dedicated to philanthropic work in geek culture. Keep an eye on the Toucan Blog to learn the latest news about such panels and everything SDCC related!
Comic Fest and Star Fest
Located in Denver, Colorado, these conventions host events for the Drive-In Sanctuary Project, which is dedicated to bringing back drive-in theaters to the United States. You can learn more about the project and these conventions here.
Comicpalooza
This Houston, Texas convention hosts a Live Art event, where artists showcase various masterpieces which are then auctioned off. All proceeds from the auction are donated to McDonald’s House Charities. McDonald’s House Charities helps children and families in need for a variety of reasons.
Comikaze
Image Credit: Comikaze
This Los Angeles comic convention hosts its own blood drive through Life Stream. Comikaze also partnered with Unite4Good this year and hosted several philanthropic panels.
Dallas Comic Con
Dallas works with a ton of organizations, including Toys for Tots, Star Wars: Force for Change, the 501st Legion, and DFW Ghostbusters. Star Wars: Force for Change performs humanitarian and charity work, auctioning off stormtrooper helmets for charity and inspiring others to join the light side of the force. The 501st Legion is an international group of Star Wars costumers which frequently participates in philanthropic outreach. DFW Ghostbusters is a nonprofit fan organization that focuses on supporting local charity organizations.
Denver Comic Con
Denver Comic Con is actually its own charity. The con was born from the organization now known as Pop Culture Classroom and works to engage and support children in school. The con also works with Eddie’s Kids Charity, which provides sporting event tickets to children, military servicemembers, and teachers.
Dragon Con
Image Credit: Dragon Con
Dragon Con chooses a different organization to support every year. This year, they supported the Lymphoma Research Foundation and raised over $100,000. They also participate in the Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive.
New York Comic Con
Like Comicpalooza, NYCC holds an art auction every year to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. They also held a charity helmet auction for the FDNY Foundation. The FDNY Foundation raises money to support and promote life and fire safety initiatives.
WonderCon
Image Credit: Comic-Con International
WonderCon hosts the 501st Legion and California Browncoats, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting the work of the Firefly/Serenity cast and crew through charitable organizations, as well as the Robert A. Heinlein Blood Drive. To date, the Browncoats have raised over $204,000 for various charities.
These are some of the numerous ways you can don your cape and show the world you’re a superhero. Remember, no matter how bad things get, something good is out there. Just over the horizon. Thank you all for being part of that good!
Featured Image Credit: Geek Native