by Denise Gary
Photographs by Bruce Matsunaga and Robert Gary, with one contribution each by Devon Christopher Adams and Denise Gary
Thank you to each and every person who showed us love during Phoenix Comicon and the Kids Need to Read Geek Prom. It was such a fantastic convention! There was so much incredible warmth for KNTR. We are always completely blown away by the outpouring of support every year. It is not something we ever take for granted; in fact, it always catches us by surprise. This is the fourth year we have been beyond fortunate to humbly serve as the sponsored charity of Phoenix Comicon. We were able to give back to the convention more than ever by expanding on the children’s programming we have provided in the past. Perhaps because of this and the flood of kindnesses that were afforded KNTR, as well as the skill of our remarkable volunteers, the strongest memory I carry with me from this particular year is the constant euphoria of joy I felt every moment of every single day and night. The emotion was enormous and beautiful and everlasting!
All in all, over $25,000 was raised by and for Kids Need to Read during the convention. We have so many people to thank, so I would like to highlight what some of the individuals and groups did for KNTR. Because Phoenix Comicon is such a massive event for our organization, blogs for the KNTR Geek Prom (sponsored by Bookmans),
Build-A-Book program (with Steven Riley),
and From Bullying to Harmony panel (with Tom Leveen, Susan Stoltz, Sgt. Darren Burch, and yours truly) will be presented separately.
Talk about superheroes? A super-incredible team of volunteers assembled to help Kids Need to Read throughout the convention, only a few of which are pictured below. Just when it appeared we would not have enough hands, suddenly the most wonderful folks came to us and offered their assistance. Jovial, high-spirited, hard working, dedicated, indispensable—just a few superlatives to describe this crew. With their support, it was the most carefree Comicon Debb and I have ever experienced. We appreciate you all so very much and hope the new folks will bless us with their joyful labors many more times in the future.
When it comes to charitable support of a nonprofit, Kids Need to Read enjoys the most conspicuous and expansive patronage of any pop culture convention in this country through the generous sponsorship of Phoenix Comicon. Matt Solberg, the convention’s founder and director, always places a high priority on the welfare of Kids Need to Read . . . as well as on teasing!
Phoenix Comicon Programming Director Joe Boudrie, another prankster, always looks after Kids Need to Read with the greatest of humor and thoughtfulness.
Our new comic Geeksages and Geekonnieres were extremely popular this year! We nearly sold out. Thanks so much to Lori Cothrun for the idea, and the hard work of Debb and the KNTR volunteers in creating them!
KNTR peace products and calendar art prints were also huge favorites. The copper peace art was created by Marisa Grieco, Urban Blacksmith, while DesignKreeda created peace purses, backpacks, and an art print—all designed especially for KNTR.
Illustrations for the fine art prints were created and donated by Mark Wayne Adams, Marisa Grieco, Jason Horn, Jackie Morris, James A. Owen, Tony Parker, and Steven Riley. Many of these items are currently available in the Kids Need to Read Store.
Nothing beats a blinky, noisy raygun!
Of course, there were free magazines for kids—many thanks to Highlights for Children and Carus Publishing!
Kids really enjoyed the Reading Corner in the art room, sponsored by Bookmans and Kids Need to Read.
Phoenix Comicon conducted an incredible Charity Art Auction next to our booth. One hundred percent of the proceeds benefited KNTR, bringing in $4,348!
This incredible artwork sword was made for the art auction, with a multitude of artists illustrating the blade during the convention. It raised over $1,000 during the auction.
The sword’s fanciful hilt was designed by artist Travis Hanson.
The display featured information on the making of the sword.
Front of the finished sword:
Back of the finished sword:
Phoenix Comicon and Lupine Entertainment conducted the Kids Need to Read Charity Poker Tournament on Friday evening, with one hundred percent of the proceeds benefiting KNTR.
Chris Hartwig of Big Chris Art was one of the sponsors of the tournament, along with Zenescope and Big Dog Ink. There were four tables loaded with multitudes of prizes!
Angie Ramey of Lupine Entertainment kept the show running smoothly.
The room was packed!
The audience cheered when it was announced that the event had raised a total of $2,220 for Kids Need to Read!
Randy DeVault of Lupine Entertainment deals the final table.
Little Vampires donated a package of adorable book pins for KNTR to hand out to children.
We love our superheroes! Check out all of the fun and creative projects the cosplayers conducted for KNTR!
Members of Project Hero worked at our booth, attracting folks to their raffles for KNTR held in the Hero Comics booth.
The raffles raised $451 for Kids Need to Read! Plus Project Hero donated (along with Bookmans) and constructed a T.A.R.D.I.S. that auctioned for $325 at the KNTR Geek Prom!
Justice League Arizona repeated their popular Arkham Escape fundraiser from last year, raising $570 for KNTR!
The heroes arrested and photographed “escaped inmates” in Exhibitor Hall for donations to KNTR. Participants got to keep a very cool lanyard!
The 501st Legion Blast-a-Trooper game raised $505 for KNTR! The kids had a blast going after the armored, taunting Stormtroopers with Nerf guns.
All the participants received a Certificate of Completion.
The Arizona Avengers held raffles at their booth, raising $190 for KNTR!
I had to show off my Honorary Arizona Avengers cape, received at last year’s KNTR Geek Prom.
Author Frank Beddor conducted a major book drive for KNTR at his booth, as well as at other conventions and on Kickstarter. We are excited for the major windfall of books we will be receiving. Thanks to all who supported the book-raiser!
Author James A. Owen (with Geek Prom Fashion Geektacular judge Jeremy Owen on the right) hosted a fundraiser at his booth. Lovely pendants were sold based on his Meditations series, with $1 of each sale benefiting KNTR. A total of $33 was raised! (Notice I have one around my neck! I loved them all!)
Arizona Avenger and KNTR Geek Prom co-host Gus Matos calls out for Geek Prom ticket sales at the KNTR booth.
It was a pleasure to greet Homer, friend of James A. Owen, and a fervent supporter of KNTR and the cause of childhood literacy.
Kids Need to Read presented four wonderful panelists. Actor Charles “Fig” Newton performed classic poems during Poetry for the Movie Generation, bringing the power of poetry to life for children of all ages, including the child in each of us.
Writer Sara Fujimura presented Finding Your Way PLOT Workshop, helping kids and adults learn how to create an easy but thorough plot map for their fanfic, book, manga, anime, screenplay, or plot-heavy videogame.
Author/illustrator Steven Riley entertained in his signature comedic style with How to Write & Draw Riley Style, an interactive exploration of creation, storytelling, and illustration for kids of all ages with active imaginations.
During Build-A-Hero, author/speaker Tom Leveen led writers through a fun and revealing exercise to build a hero and villain (and send them into combat!) to illustrate how conflict is necessary for every genre of fiction.
Naturally, we had fun in the booth:
Much love always to our fantastic photographers, Bruce Matsunaga . . .
. . . and Robert Gary, both of whom always manage to capture the joy of our organization!
To see more of their terrific photographs, please visit the Phoenix Comicon 2013 Photo Galleries.
We extend our deepest gratitude to the entire staff of Phoenix Comicon for taking such great care of Kids Need to Read and treating us as though we are the most important charitable foundation on Earth, and to the Riley family for bringing their magical kindness to us all. To everyone who supported Kids Need to Read at Phoenix Comicon, thank you for assisting us in demonstrating that reading is an important and incredible gift for all children, especially those who desperately need to discover the power of books and education in order to lift themselves out of poverty and other challenging circumstances. We are forever grateful.
Related Blog: Fourth Annual KNTR Geek Prom was Fab!
Related Blog: So Much Fun! (Don’t Tell the Kids They Were Learning!) KNTR Build-a-Book Program with Steven Riley
Related Blog: From Bullying to Harmony: Panelists Dispense Anti-Bullying Suggestions at Phoenix Comicon
