Community & Charity Work
Our involvement in local communities is important to us. In addition to creating welcoming and inclusive spaces where people can come together to celebrate their shared geeky interests, we are committed to supporting local and national charities.
Charities We Support
We support the IWK Foundation because they are a champion of excellence in women’s and children’s health and medicine. Their research and support help provide the most advanced and accessible technology to families across the Maritimes.
We also support Kids Help Phone because they are one of the best resources for youth across the country. Kids Help Phone offers a website with the latest information about youth mental health and a massive database of resources. Their counselling services are available to youth by phone and online chat 24/7, in both English and French.
To raise money for these two organizations, we host an annual Charity Auction held during the Convention. To donate an item to the charity auction or suggest a potential item for us to request, contact our Auction Manager via email at Auction@hal-con.com.
Fundraising
Hal-Con is proud to participate in and serve its community at large. We have marched in numerous parades, hosted BBQs at several comic book stores, held movie nights at the Museum of Natural History, and have helped many Halifax and area charities raise money for children and adults.
As part of our efforts to drive awareness to such causes as literacy and youth engagement, we have invaded bookstores and other locations for pictures and story time events. Our devoted cosplayers created a group called Hal-Con’s Amazing Super Friends to take part and support Hal-Con related events by raising awareness for Halifax and area charities.
Hal-Con cosplayers have been present at many events such as Kids Help Phone Be-A-Hero Fundraising Walk, the annual Autism Walk, and the 25th Annual Halifax AIDSWalk.
Together with Mount Saint Vincent University’s Business & Tourism Society, we aided in raising money for the IWK’s Ronald McDonald House Family Room, and showed up for a special pre-Christmas visit.
Community Engagement
Other ways members of the Halifax sci-fi scene wave the flag for Hal-Con is by entering in and attending HRM and area Parade events. Some of the parades we’ve participated in to date:
- Hal-Con’s Halloween Parade
- HRM Pride Parade
- Natal Day Parade
- Eastern Passage Summer Carnival Parade
- Chronicle Herald Parade of Lights
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Parade with Eastlink
- Multicultural Festival Parade
- Sackville Patriots Day Parade
- Halifax Official Zombie Walk
- Cole Harbour Harvest Festival Parade
- Spryfield Annual Christmas Parade
Community Squad: Our community squad is a dedicated team of cosplayers and support volunteers who attend events and fundraisers hosted by non-profit organizations throughout HRM and the province.
If you would like to have our Community Squad attend your charitable, community, or non-profit event, please email Community@hal-con.com.
Hal-Con is also proud to participate in a number of community parades. Some recent events include the Lunenburg Pride Parade, the Natal Day Parade, the Halifax Parade of Lights, and the Halifax Pride Parade.