To volunteer with Dragon Con, go to www.dragoncon.org
Every Labor Day weekend, Atlantans gather to watch the Dragon Con parade in Downtown Atlanta. A cultural indulgence for those watching and those participating, the weekend convention has been a staple in the city for the past 28 years inviting over 55,000 people a year.
“We have been so loved by the city of Atlanta and its people, and we knew it was time to start paying it forward,” said Rachel Reeves, who oversees community service of Dragon Con and is the co-chair of the event.
Dragon Con launched Superheroes in 2005 and has chosen a signature charity to raise money for at each event. This year, the committee decided to expand their giving back by volunteering for various nonprofits around the city to make a difference.
On March 8, volunteers raised money for the Georgia Conservancy and cleaned Sweetwater Park. On April 26, Superheroes volunteered at Walk to End Lupus Now 5K by creating a team and serving water during the race.
On May 18, about 120 volunteers sorted and packed food items at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. They inspected, sorted and packed 28,907 pounds of food, which equates to about 24,407 meals.
Dragon Con volunteer and Star Wars Track Director Brandy Roatsey was excited to volunteer with Superheroes knowing that same fun energy of the convention was being put out in the community. “It’s really a great way to be a part of an organization you already love and they add this level of giving back to really engage with the community that spreads the spirit of fun and togetherness,” said Roatsey, who has volunteered with Dragon Con for seven years. “It’s the same sentiment at the convention and its great to spread it through giving back in the local community.”
This year, Dragon Con will also match $50,000 of the money raised for Atlanta Community Food Bank, the signature charity at the convention this year. The charity is chosen by a social media vote and is a cause that is close to directors, volunteers and attendees.
“Any time an event organizer makes the effort to tie their event to a cause, it’s a win-win,” said Julie Bryant Fisher, vice president of marketing and communication for ACFB. “It offers a great opportunity to raise awareness for that cause by being in front of many potential new volunteers, donors, and champions for the cause.”
There will also be a fourth project before the convention and Reeves encourages the Atlanta people to become Superheroes as well. She added, “our tagline is ‘we do fun well’ and giving back to the local community is just another way we at Dragon Con can thank Atlanta for all of its support.”
Since 2005, Dragon Con has raised $300,000 for charities in Atlanta.
In other news: On May 8, about 30 volunteers picked up between 200 and 300 pounds of bottles, cans, construction debris and other trash during the 4th Annual Creek Crawl held in Johns Creek. The effort is organized by the city of Johns Creek and Keep Johns Creek Beautiful to pick up trash and debris from Johns Creek, specifically between Parsons and Abbotts Bridge Road.
About the Author
