POP PICKS
Use your fandom for the greater good.
GEEKS DOING GOOD compiled by Miranda Siwak, editorial assistant
Superheroes do exist, they just might not look how you think. In fact, some work their magic in the shadows and behind the scenes to save the day. Here are some of the incredible organizations fighting for the greater good. Donate through their websites, host a fundraiser, or volunteer to make the planet a better place. Suit up: The world needs your help.
ABLE GAMERS CHARITY This nonprofit powers up to make gaming accessible for kids with disabilities, no matter their physical limitations. By using a variety of technologies, including mouth controllers, eye gazes, and other customized controllers, the foundation makes gaming inclusive for every player with its #SoEveryoneCanGame mission. Donate to the cause via the website and $0.94 of every dollar received goes directly to gamers in need. It’s time to level up and get to work! HQ: Kearneysville, West Virginia Donate: ablegamers.org
OPERATION COMIX RELIEF SPIRIT OF CHILDREN No spooky hospital stays here! Spirit Halloween brings Halloween celebrations to children’s hospitals nationwide. The retailer raises funds for Child Life to provide support for art, music, aquatic, and pet therapy programs and additional educational tools in children’s hospitals. In its 13-year tenure, the initiative has raised $54 million across 141 partner hospitals in the U.S. Fans can get involved by donating to the spooktacular cause at Spirit Halloween stores all season long — and feel boo-tiful on the inside and outside. HQ: Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey Donate: spiritofchildren.com
64| Issue No. 5 | THE POP INSIDER
Holy books, Batman! Founder Chris Tarbassian started this homebased project in 2003 to send comic books abroad to ill and wounded soldiers to enjoy during their deployments in the midst of Operation Iraqi Freedom. You can send in comic book donations by mail to their headquarters or deliver them in person at Bedrock Comics in Framingham, Massachusetts, and they’ll send the books to soldiers stationed overseas in war zones. HQ: Framingham, Massachusetts
Donate: operationcomixrelief.org