October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month but did you know it’s also Domestic Violence Awareness Month? One comic shop in New Jersey is raising money during an event they’ve dubbed “Superhero Weekend” to raise money for a local women’s shelter this Saturday and Sunday. They’ll be auctioning off comic book art, featuring artists, holding costume contests and more! The best part is, you don’t have to live in the Garden State in order to help.
Comic Fusion in Flemington, NJ has hosted the annual event since 2007. The event was previously paired with Wonder Woman Day, now called Women of Wonder Day for obvious reasons, a cross-country event to spread awareness about domestic violence and raise money for local shelters. Superhero Weekend, which has raised close to $40,000 for SAFE in Hunterdon over the past few years, has spun-off for a weekend filled with special events.
If you’re local, here’s what you can look forward to:
- Super Hero Dog Costume Contest at Barkley’s Gourmet Marketplace!Sunday 1PM $5 Entry Donation!
(Dress your dog as your favorite Super Hero or any costume and enter!) - Jewelry Making for Kids at Sage!
- Super Hero Candy from The Candy Bar!
- Grab Gelato at Cocco’s and hang with some of our Artists!
- Cupcakes by The Mixing Bowl!
- See the kids art contest at Cocco’s and the winner will be announced at 3PM Sunday!
- Face Painting by Rebecca!
Comic Fusion will also welcome to the store guest artists Jamal Igle, Jim Calafiore, Chris Flick, Tom Schloendorn, Ken Haeser, Erica Hesse, and Bill Ellis who will be signing and sketching for donations. The famous 501st Legion will be in various Star Wars costumes plus Wonder Woman and several other volunteer costumers will be available for photos.
“SuperHero Weekend is a celebration of the characters we grew up with and to remember the lessons comics teach us so that we can make our communities better and safer,” explained Stacy Korn, co-owner of Comic Fusion. “We’re excited this year to welcome other businesses in the community to this wonderful event! Each year the event evolves. This year is bigger than ever, with tons of events to participate in! This year our message of hope shines even brighter!”
“The fantasy of being a superhero provides children with the opportunity to more easily express their everyday fears,” said Elizabeth Amber Love, event planner. “People of all ages need to be reminded that being a victim was not their fault. Domestic abuse tends to be met with shameful feelings and people don’t seek help the way one would if they had a medical disease. This fundraiser gets people talking about advocacy and awareness through the great support system of the comic book industry.”
If you aren’t local, or can’t make it to New Jersey this weekend, you can help the cause by bidding on the fantastic array of original sketches and prints up for auction from artists like Barry Kitson, Charles Wilson III, Dave Wachter, David Mack, Eric Powell, Franco, George Perez, JK Woodward, Josh Adams, Josh Lyman, Mike Choi, Mike Deodato Jr, Mike Maihack, and lots more!
Email bidding ends midnight Saturday eastern time but if you attend Superhero Weekend you may continue to place bids in person.
It’s a great cause and a wonderful event I’m proud to say I’ve attended and supported for the last few years (I’ll be there this weekend if you want to say hi!). The group even braved a horrible, out-of-season, snow storm last year to continue their good work. For more information head to the Comic Fusion Superhero Weekend page, the event page on Facebook, and keep up with the latest on their Twitter.
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