Our Someones 2 Know this week are part of a group that devotes itself to bringing smiles to children who are facing challenging circumstances. They do it for free - and they do it in costume.
Meet Cosplay for Kindness;
Costumed super heroes can often be spotted at children's birthday parties. But, events like Connor’s Courage – a recent benefit run for terminally ill Connor Shipp - truly inspire the group Cosplay for Kindness to volunteer their time.
"What we are is a non-profit organization and which we go to hospitals, local events, fundraiser of, any kind all around the Nevada area,” explains founding member Brandon Boykins.
They do it all dressed as their favorite characters; "T’Challa aka The Black Panther, Captain America, Spider-Man, Harley Quinn or any popular characters from sci-fi, comic books, or anime can be seen in the performance-art known as “cos-play”.
"Cosplay is a combination of costume and play,” Boykins tells us
"It's just about spreading the joy of the fandom,” share William Bento “And embracing the community”
While most of the Cosplay for Kindness players have long been involved in pop culture, the idea to create a group to support charitable causes, began one year ago with Boykins and a few founding members;
"The way it started for us was a father-daughter dance at the Bridge Church"
Chris Hohnholz who plays "Captain America" got started several years ago when his kids were younger and now volunteers his time - for others;
"For the people, for the kids, gives them an opportunity to just have fun with their favorite characters"
The favorite at this weekend's benefit run for Connor Shipp was Spider-Man, the character most loved by the terminally ill nine year-old.
Boykins was moved; "It’s such an honor to be a part of this event and have these amazing people here as part of this same team".
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If you're interested in Cosplay for Kindness helping you with an event - or if you would like to be a member of the group, the link to their Facebook page is here –
