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“The Shoe Project” Hits Lexington Comic Con

Mar. 15 Editor's Pick, Movies, Nerd Porn no comments

Remember those cool painted Star Wars helmets that showed up last year? Remember thinking they would be even cooler if they were shoes? Well wait no longer! Coming to a Lexington Comic Con near you is this year’s presentation of The Shoe Project, ten pairs of Vans shoes, each designed by a different artist.

“The Shoe Project came from a desire to bring something special to Lexington Comic Con and to really help our fund raising efforts for UK Children’s Hospital,” says Tyler Phillips, the man behind the project. He also admits that it wasn’t entirely his idea. He tells us that his wife came up with the idea while he was working hard to think of a new project. Yes, we know this perpetuates the “Women And Shoes” stereotype, but once you see the shoes you’ll realize that these are more than just fashion accessories.

From a legal perspective, though, this seemed like a nearly impossible feat at first. Not only would the Star Wars license need to be granted, but also the Vans shoes would have to be provided as well. What seemed like a daunting task, though, turned out to be much easier. Tyler tells us that when he contacted Lucasfilm, they responded quickly and with much enthusiasm and support.

Soon, Tyler was in possession of ten pairs of brand new white Vans. But who would do the art? Tyler and his wife made a list and went about contacting the artists. “We had a tremendous response from artists all over the country and even some international artists,” says Tyler. “We chose the artists who would bring a great mix of styles to each pair of shoes. Some have painted their shoes, some have used special dyes, some have used inks, and some have transformed the shoes into awesome non-wearable displays.”

By now you’re wondering where you can see these amazing shoes. They will be on display this weekend at Lexington Comic Con before they are auctioned off to benefit the UK Children’s Hospital. Make sure you keep an eye on The Star Wars Shoe Project Facebook Page as there are more shoes to be revealed as well as links to the auctions after the shoes finish their stay at Lexington Comic Con. In the meantime, check out some of the designs below!

Tags: charity, Comic-Con, Lexington, sci-fi, Shoes, Star Wars, Vans

For All Mankind: Nerdy Charities With Noble Causes

Jan. 21 Features no comments

Today, as we all know, is Martin Luther King Jr Day. For some today is a day off from work or a day that the bank is closed when you really needed it to not be. For most, today is a day of reflection on the life of a man who worked tirelessly, advocating for the basic human and civil rights for people throughout the world. Dr. King is recognized as the biggest leader of the civil rights movement and his legacy continues to this day.

In honor of a man who worked non-stop for the benefit of his fellow man, Word Of The Nerd has compiled a list of charities with nerdy origins that have set out to help those in need within their own communities and all over the world. These are all worthwhile organizations dedicated to improving the world and/or the standard of living of those who need it most.

Child’s Play

One of the fastest growing and best recognized charities in the nerd/geek community and beyond is Child’s Play. Founded in 2003 by Mike Krahulik and Jerry Holkins, creators of the popular comic Penny Arcade and The Penny Arcade Expo, Child’s Play makes it their goal to “improve the lives of children in hospitals around the world through the kindness and generosity of the video game industry and the power of play.” Specifically, Child’s Play raises money to help provide video games, DVDs, books and the like for children in over 70 hospitals around the world.

Child’s Play takes a multiple-pronged approach to fundraising. To start, interested donors can find participating hospitals and donate directly to them or purchase items for the hospital from their personalized wish list online. The organization has also inspired a plethora of community-run fundraisers throughout the year that benefit the charity. Annual fundraisers like the Desert Bus For Hope Marathon, Mario Marathon, Minecraft Marathon, Mass Effect 3 Marathon and so many other community-created events have all played a huge part in Child’s Play’s success. In 2012, the grand total of money-raised was a record setting $5,085,760. That’s a lot of scratch.

The Child’s Play Charity Dinner and Auction 2011. Photo by Kiko Villasenor.

Lastly, Child’s Play closes out the giving-season by hosting a charity dinner and auction in Seattle, WA featuring items, merchandise and memorabilia donated by companies and individuals from every corner of the gaming industry.

Looking to get involved? You can check out their calendar of events and participate or donate to any number of them or hold your own event.

To get an idea of the scope and impact of Child’s Play take a look at their testimonials page. I dare you to not tear-up just a little bit. I dare you. Child’s Play provides a critical service often overlooked or simply underfunded in treatment facilities. The games and books they are able to provide offer distraction, comfort and hope for children who are, more than likely, undergoing one of the most frightening and morale-depleting situations of their lives.

Can’t Stop The Serenity/Equality Now

Founded in 2006, Can’t Stop The Serenity is an affiliation of screenings of beloved movie Serenity which benefit Equality Now, whose mission is “to achieve legal and systemic change that addresses violence and discrimination against women and girls around the world.”

Screenings can be held anywhere in the world between the months of April and September and can include other events such as contests, raffles and screenings of additional Whedon material such as Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog. CSTS also encourages people who want to help out but can’t host a screening to host an Affiliate Event. That is, according to their website, any fundraising event for CSTS that does not include a screening of Serenity.

Check out their calendar of screenings and events to find one in your area. No events in your area? Sign up and host your own screening at a local venue. Trust me, it will be nothing less than awesome.

Hero Initiative

Hero Initiative volunteers with George Perez at DragonCon 2011. Photo via Hero Initiative’s PopCons Journal

The Hero Initiative, founded in 2000 and originally known as A.C.T.O.R., is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing assistance to veteran comic book creators in need of medical or financial assistance. Hero has established a few different methods for people to help out. One can make a donation the old-fashioned way though their website. Hero Initiative also offers an annual membership for interested individuals. Membership benefits include a membership card, newsletter and various other perks dependent on the level of donation (Bronze, Silver, Gold or Excelsior!). Or Hero Imitative also accepts vehicle donations through Cars 4 Causes.

The good people over at Hero also encourage any would-be do-gooder to host their own fundraising event to benefit their worthwhile cause. Hero Initiative also has an active involvement in comic conventions nationwide and need people to help run their information/donation booths at conventions. For information on volunteering with Hero Initiative check this out.

DonorsChoose

DonorsChoose is an organization founded by schoolteacher Charles Best in 2000. The goal of the organization is to provide a place for teachers to who want to enrich the education of their students to solicit funding for field trips, additional art and/or science supplies, nutritional education and various other projects thought-up by teachers for their students.

By browsing the list of available projects and choosing which ones they want to fund, donors can have first-hand knowledge and feedback on how they are helping.

DonorsChoose is a great foundation for people wanting to better the education and lives of children in public school and want to ensure that they know exactly where and how their funds are being used.

The greatest thing about all of these charities is the opportunity for initiative and involvement that they provide. The success these groups have achieved is greatly due to the willingness of individuals to donate their own time and skills to make their own fundraisers/benefits and raise awareness for these great and worthwhile endeavors.

So, in the spirit of today and for the betterment of mankind consider hosting a board game night, Mario Kart tournament, pub crawl, kickball and barbecue day at the park or some other awesomely radical event to help one or of these great organizations or maybe even start your own charity for an equally worthwhile cause.

Tags: Can't Stop The Serenity, charity, Child's Play Charity, DonorsChoose, geek culture, Hero Initiative, Martin Luther King Jr Day, Mig-El, Word of the Nerd

News – Course Of The Force

Feb. 09 News, Press Release no comments

From the official Star Wars site:

Lucasfilm Ltd., Nerdist Industries, Octagon and Machinima have teamed up to present Course of the Force, an Olympic-style lightsaber relay held July 7-11, where participants will make a journey from Santa Monica to San Diego while benefiting a worthy cause.

Star Wars fans, sit up and take notice! Chris Hardwick and Machinima by themselves would be enough to cause excitement, but both of them together… that’s something else entirely! They are both huge names in the nerd world, so their combined forces are going to be something to behold.

At quarter-mile markers (much less than 12 parsecs), participants will hand off the official Course of the Force lightsaber to the next runner as they begin their leg of the journey. Course of the Force will take place in the days leading up to the annual San Diego Comic Con International, July 12-15.

I can’t think of a better way to kick off a convention than an event like this. With star power like Chris Hardwick and the massive online presence of Machinima should do wonders with getting the word out about this relay, as well as provide plenty of entertainment while it goes on.

Proceeds from this event are going to the Make-A-Wish foundation, which is America’s foremost wish-granting organization, helping sick and dying children realize their dreams. A very worthy charity for Lucasfilm to be partnering with.

If you live in the area, or if you are going to the San Diego Comic Con and can get down there a few days early, definitely check this out. If you aren’t, keep your eye on The Nerdist and Machinima for their updates and live streams during the race.

“The Course of the Force lightsaber run is a great cause that combines fitness with helping others, principles that aspiring Jedi Knights can embrace. We have long supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and this is a great opportunity to raise funds and awareness while letting Star Wars fans celebrate the favorite saga,” said Kayleen Walters, Sr. Director of Marketing for Lucasfilm.

Mace Windu, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker

Well... two out of three Jedi anyway.

All I can say is that there had darn well better be a purple lightsaber involved in the relay. And some badly choreographed lightsaber fights at the relay hand-offs. That’s what I want to see come out of it, as well as a great time and a good chunk of change for Make-A-Wish.

More information on the event can be found here.