Free Comic Book Day is a great opportunity for comic shops to reach out to their local community not only to help them discover comics and new types of stories, but to help those in need. On Saturday May 3rd, Legend Comics & Coffee is hosting their third fundraiser for the Nebraska Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. While getting free comics, community members are encouraged to donate to the Make-A-Wish foundation and make a difference.

FCBD: Tell me a little about your Fundraiser.

Joe Patrick: We're raising money to benefit the Nebraska chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation! We're selling door prize tickets for $5.00 each from now until Free Comic Book Day on May 3rd. Every cent we collect will go to Make-A-Wish! We won't be subtracting anything for fees, operational costs, or any of that other nonsense that you sometimes hear. Donors will receive on e entry into our door prize drawing for each increment of $5.00 they donate. $5.00 = 1 entry, $10.00 = 2 entries, etc. There is NO LIMIT to the amount you can donate! This year, our Grand Prize for the drawing will be a copy of Walking Dead #1, CGC graded 9.6 - a $4300 value! BUT, the more we raise, the better the prize becomes!

If we raise...

$10,000 the winner will receive Walking Dead #1 AND a copy of Walking Dead #2 (total value: $4700)!

$12,000 the winner will receive Walking Dead #1-2 AND a copy of Walking Dead #3 (total value: $4900)!

$14,000 the winner will receive Walking Dead #1-3 AND a copy of Walking Dead #4 (total value: $5100)!

$16,000 the winner will receive Walking Dead #1-4 AND a copy of Walking Dead #5 (total value: $5200)!

$18,000 the winner will receive Walking Dead #1-5 AND a copy of Walking Dead #6 (total value: $5350)!

$20,000 we will draw ANOTHER name and give away ANOTHER copy of Walking Dead #1 CGC graded 9.4 (a $1200 value)!

PLUS, other prizes from Legend Comics & Coffee and our fundraising partners - a grand total of over $7000 in prizes!

FCBD: How did the partnership with the charity come about?

JP: Dave DeMarco, one of Legend's co-owners went to Make-A-Wish with the idea of using Free Comic Book Day as a fundraising opportunity. The comics that we've been giving away are from Dave's personal collection. Now that he's a comic shop owner, he wants to use the stuff that made him happy as a child to make other kids happy.

FCBD: Have you done anything like this before?

JP: Yes. This is our third Make-A-Wish fundraiser. Among many prizes from local businesses, we've given away a copies of Amazing Fantasy #15 and Amazing Spider-Man #1, Spidey's first two appearances. To date, we've raised over $18,000 for Make-A-Wish!

FCBD: Can anyone participate in the fundraiser?

JP: YES! Everyone is welcome to donate! We have donations coming in from all over the world. Those that are interested in donating can visit the shop personally or go to our fundraiser page at http://legendcomicsandcoffee.com/donate

FCBD: When and how will you announce the winner of the Fundraiser?

JP: We will draw the winners on Free Comic Book Day in front a full crowd of eager comic fans. Donors don't need to be present to win, so we'll be notifying them by phone if necessary.

FCBD: What are some of your other plans for Free Comic Book Day?

JP: We always have a huge sale, free food from various local vendors, carnival games outside (which could gain the player extra chances to win our Grand Prize), local artists doing sketches, and, of course, thousands of free comics!

FCBD: How long have you been in business?

JP: Legend opened its doors in July of 2007. We outgrew our first location almost immediately! In November of 2011, we completed a year-long renovation of Omaha's historic Wohlner's Building, added the coffee shop, and the new Legend Comics & Coffee was born!

FCBD: Have you won any awards, like Best in Omaha or been nominated for an Eisner?

JP: Yes! We have been nominated for the Eisner twice so far, first in 2013 and again this year. Fingers crossed!

Legend Comics & Coffee are currently accepting donations for the Nebraska Make-A-Wish Foundation .

Joe Patrick, Manager

Legend Comics & Coffee

5207 Leavenworth Street

Omaha, NE 68106

(402) 391-2377

http://legendcomicsandcoffee.com