The fifth annual Heroes For Kids Comic Con, held July 20 and 21 at Perry Park Center, made a “super” impact on senior adults and kids by raising over $12,000 for two non-profit organizations: The Perry County Senior Center and Kenny Rogers Children’s Center in Sikeston.
Announcing the news, one of the event’s primary organizers, Lonnie Johnson, said, “Just to let everybody know, we set a goal for Heroes for Kids Comic Con. Now, I have not seen this check, but I know for a fact that we have beaten our goal. Last year's goal was $11,000; I'm already getting news from this year's total. We not only beat our goal, but we beat our record. We are at $12,100. Thank you, everyone!”
An oversized check was presented to Michelle Fayette, the executive director of Kenny Rogers Children’s Center, Perry County Senior Center Activities Director Marlene Milam and senior center Meals on Wheels driver Amber Douglas. Standing on the stage with them were members of the Heroes For Kids organization and this year’s special guests at Comic Con: artist and actor Matthew Atchley, writer Erin M. Evans, comic book artist Steve Geiger and character actor Marti Matulis.
This year’s event was lively, with vendors filling the floor of Perry Center’s basketball court and more than a few costumed superheroes, freaky-looking monsters and out-of-this-world characters from science fiction movies and TV shows like Star Wars and Star Trek, among others.
Activities at Comic Con included a Cosplay/Costume Contest, a Quick Draw/Sketch Contest, a Brick-Building Contest, a Super Smash Brothers Tournament and Dungeons and Dragons (D&D).
Also on hand was Villain’s Café, located in the corner with the Villainous Grounds booth. The café offered non-alcoholic drinks, lunches, and treats, and all profits went to the Perry County Senior Center and Kenny Rogers Children’s Center.
Johnson announced the amount raised for the two non-profits at the conclusion of the two-day event, another first for Comic Con. The event had only been a one-day event for the previous four years. After announcing the amount raised this year, Johnson told the crowd that Comic Con 2025 will again be held over two days — on Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20, at the Perry Park Center.
