Here’s our Eighth update on our quest to get Jonathon and Ghic Chic to New York ComicCon ‘08.
We did it! Thanks to EVERYONE who contributed, sent well wishes, donated equipment or spent some time spreading the word! And a very special thanks to the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation for matching the funds we’d raised and making this possible!
First, a little background. Jonathon was born with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy. he’s spent his life in a wheelchair and although he has the mind of regular 15 year old, he is unable to utilize his body and has difficulty speaking. Jonathon has a wonderful mind and personality trapped inside his body.
Now available! Official Superhero Sidekick T-shirts! 
Jonathon’s use of his body is limited to some use of his left hand. As such, he’s enriched his life through the idea of superheroes - people who can literally do anything. His love for superheroes and all that they stand for has helped him through some very rough times, for instance by taking on their persona before and after operations.
Jonathon has a true love for all things superhero. Comics, movies and video games, they have all given him joy and strength and he would like nothing more than to meet the people behind his passion. We’re going to do the best we can to see this dream come true.
Through our paypal button (upper right) we’ve raised $60 $110 $210 $230 $490 $500! $600! $700! $885 $1500! We now have the funds necessary to fly them out to New York. Next we need to raise money for lodging, food and some transportation costs. We’re shooting for $3,000 in funds total.
Thanks to the folks at Neuros Technology for providing Jonathon (and his geek Mom) with a Neuros OSD DVR. They know how much he loves superhero movies!
We’ve reserved hotel rooms - we now have a place to stay less than a half mile from the convention center!
Big news coming soon! We’ve just taken a huge step thanks to some very generous folks. More soon!
huge thanks to Casio, who graciously donated an Exilim EX-Z77 so Jonathon can remember his trip through photographs and video.
We’ve received a number of encouraging emails - thanks to everyone who’s sent thoughts our way!
A big thanks also to SciFiChick and MadMovieGuy for mentioning our story!
To see what we’ll need to get Jonathon to the convention and to read about our mission, have a look here.We’ve been talking to the folks over at BBT magazine, who attended the convention last year. We’ll be talking to them more about advice on going to Comic Con and possibly joining forces.
Jonathon is getting really excited about this event and also sends his thanks to everyone!
Update #2 - Hi folks, thanks to everyone for stopping by. We’ve gotten a few more donations and some kind folks have linked back to us, which I think is great! If you link to this article we’ll link back to you as one way of saying thanks.
Update #3 - We’ve had a number of donations come in which is really great and has pushed our money raised almost up to $500. We’re looking at about $800 in travel costs and about $1800 in lodging. Add to that money for food and other items necessary for the trip and we’re looking at raising a total of $3000 or having some of the big ticket items (room/travel) provided as a donation. $500 that we’ve raised so far is great! That’s 1/4 of the way there in just a few short weeks. Thanks to everyone who’s donated, commented, linked to us or emailed friends about this.
Update #4 - It looks like we’re going to need about $3,000 all told to get Jonathon and Ghic Chic out to New York, into a hotel and able to eat. We’re on our way to that goal!
Update #5 - We’ve go the money needed to fly Jonathon and Ghic Chic out to Florida. Thanks to all who’ve donated so far! Out of $3,000 we’ve raised $700 - leaving $2300 for us to come up with for food, lodging and other things, such as possibly renting an accessible van for transportation around the city.
Update #6 - A big thanks to Virgin Comics CEO Sharad Devarajan who’s helped us take a huge stride towards our goal! I’m hoping we can go into the holidays and raise even more funds towards our goal. We’re more than half way there!
Thought Hammer, purveyor of fine board games have provided us with 4 copies of the board game Manhattan to give away! Our contests includes linking back to this post.
Another huge thanks to Casio, who graciously donated an Exilim EX-Z77 so Jonathon can remember his trip through photographs and video.
The folks at ComicCon NY itself have also agreed to give us two tickets for Jonathon and Ghic Chic!
The folks at the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art have given Jonathon two tickets to visit when he’s in New York!
Check out SF Signal.com and SciFiChick.com. Two great sites in their own right, who are bringing a bit of attention to our quest. Also thanks to Don over at Scatterworlds.com!Thanks also to our friends who’ve donated! We’re getting there!
Technorati Tags: comic, comiccon, new york, jonathon, be awesome, stan lee, x-men, spiderman, superman, superhero
August 30th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
Since the original post was modified and the comments left behind, I’m reposting my comment here:
I was thinking- and I should put this on the forum… Merchandise! Create a design and slogan to put on t-shirts, mouse pads, bags etc. and proceeds go to the event to get the boy there. Reader participation in coming up with a slogan and winner gets a free Arsgeek, Ghic Chic or event item courtesy of me, a gift from the event… AND maybe a chance to interview your favorte geek here? Okay, maybe the latter isn’t appealing to anyone… Input?
=^_^= (I added the kitty smile because I’m in just a kitty smiling mood- despite not having nor wanting cats).
September 11th, 2007 at 11:58 am
Awesome!
September 11th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Comment for entry.
September 11th, 2007 at 3:20 pm
You are doing wonderful thing for Jonathan. I hope Jonathan has tons of fun at Comic con!
September 11th, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Here’s to hoping that you reach your goal and Jonathan gets to meet all the superheroes he could wish for!
September 11th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Thank you everyone! He’s truly getting excited the more April draws near (and it’s still a ways away!)
It’s great to see so many people out there supporting his dream.
A thousand karma points for everyone! (each- you don’t have to share them or anything.)
September 11th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
This is a fantastic idea. I hope Johnathon makes it to ComicCon and has a great time. Kudos to ArsGeek for this effort.
September 11th, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Good luck!. . .
September 13th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Best of luck, Jonathon. Hope you make it, and hope the experience ends up being all you’ve been hoping it could be (and more).
September 14th, 2007 at 10:15 am
I hope eveyone gets behind this effort. It will be great for you to go, Jonathon, both to see New York and to attend Comic Con.
September 18th, 2007 at 3:12 pm
Have a good time, Jonathon. Say hi to Superman for me!
September 19th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Have a great time at ComicCon Jonathon!
& BTW, real encouragement for you at Revelation 21:3,4 and Isaiah 40:28-31.
September 20th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Hope you have fun at ComicCon Johnathon!
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:37 am
A wonderful quest!
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:45 am
Thank you!!! He (me too) are getting SO excited! I hope many of you are there to meet at this wonderful event! We’re half way there!
September 27th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Good luck on your Quest - looks like you’re almost halfway there.
September 29th, 2007 at 12:37 pm
Hopefully you make it. You guys will be in my thoughts. Money is tight or I’d have done more than just made a comment. Good luck. I’m going to pass this on to friends and suggest they help! I truly hope you make it!
September 30th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
Hi Biomimetic,
Comments like yours are as important to us as anything else. Thanks for dropping by and offering encouragement!
November 7th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Keep going!
November 24th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Jonathan I hope this experience is a million times better than you could ever imagine. You’re in for the time of your life. We’re all thinking of you here in my corner of Canada.
November 26th, 2007 at 5:31 pm
Jonathon and crew, I am glad that Mr. Devarajan was able to help you get closer to your goal. Best of luck and wishes to you during this holiday season.