Heroes for Kids raises $10,400 for charities

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Before the event, one of the things that Heroes for Kids Comic-Con organizer Lonnie Johnson wanted for the convention was for it to be “bigger and better”
After a very tiring weekend, it should be considered mission accomplished.
“Just about every aisle was full and you had to puzzle your way through,” Johnson said. “I feel like everyone stayed busy the whole weekend and had a blast.”
The Comic-Con which is now in its third year started as a smaller event, but as the years have gone, Johnson has seen the event grow.
That was never more evident than in 2022. The event which was held Saturday at the Perry Park Center, and along with other fundraising events over the last six months, raised $10,400, which will be split between Shriner’s Hospital for Children and the Community Counseling Center Foundation. Johnson estimated there were 800-1,000 people who attended the event, although a exact number has yet to be confirmed.
“We are growing bigger and better every year,” Johnson said. “I feel like we did that.”
The event raised approximately $8,400 last year for two charities, each received $4,200 each.
“Everything we earn goes right back into the community,” Johnson said. “We are keeping it consistent with the children’s hospital and keeping it local with the Counseling Center Foundation. We love to help the community in any way that we can. That’s what this is all about.”

There were multiple special guests this year including W.F Bell from the Walking Dead. It was his second time coming to Perryville for the event.
“Perryville has a small time feel,” Bell said. “I like that everyone is friendly and I enjoy visiting with everyone that comes through. I think the Comic-Con does some really great things with the charities that it involved with this year and they are good causes. I would love to come back again one day if they would have me.”
Paul T. Taylor, who played Pinhead in the 2018 film Hellraiser: Judgement, will also come to Perryville. Country music artist and Jim Henson cartoonist Guy Gilchrist will also attend. He helped Henson create the Muppets and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Karen Whitfield will be in Perryville as well. Whitfield was the Bronze Age Batgirl, who toured with Adam West ad Burt Ward.
Whitfield enjoyed her time at the Com-Con as well.
“I loved the name Heroes for Kids and their cause,” she said. “I met Lonnie and Jessica (Johnson) and saw what they do here in giving back to the community. I love the mission.”
The “bigger and better” theme continued not only with the amount of money raised but also the costume contest.
There are a total of 19 participants in the contest, the most ever in the three years. Voting is open on the Heroes for Kids Comic Con page until 11:59 p.m. July 31. Votes will only count on the original posts and total number of likes of each picture will be counted. A winner will be announced August 1.
Johnson is already planning for next year’s event which will be held July 15, 2023. Special guests will be announced soon for the next version of the event.
“We can’t wait to see what next year brings.” Johnson said.