Charitable Causes Headed to FAN EXPO Chicago
While the celebrities, voice actors, comic creators, and more hit FAN EXPO Chicago, don't forget to see some of the great charitable causes on the show floor.
FAN EXPO Chicago takes over the Donald E Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, just outside of Chicago, IL, on August 14th-16th. The convention is headlined by Kurt Russell, Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Mr. T, Jared Padalecki, and many more. Reunions from the casts of Lord of the Rings, The Boys, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and more will be in attendance as the cast members come to Chicago to meet and greet with fans.
The show floor will be filled with vendors, artists, and more engaging with fans throughout the weekend. Some of these vendors and artists will have a charitable element to them; a few of those can be found below. More info on Fan Expo Chicago, including tickets, can be found here.
Charitable Vendors at FAN EXPO Chicago 2026:
PAWS
One of the celebrities attending the convention will be Peggy the Dog, otherwise known as “Dogpool”. The British Pugese dog was one of the many Deadpool variants in the Deadpool & Wolverine movie that released in 2024.
Peggy was born in 2018, a mix of Pug and a Chinese Crested Dog, also known as a Pugese. She was the runt of the litter and adopted by Holly Middleton. She was entered into the 2023 ugly dog competition and was named Brittan’s Uggliest Dog.
Holly and Dogpool will be donating $5 from each photo opp and “pawtograph” during the weekend to PAWS Chicago. PAWS is a no-kill animal shelter in the Chicago area and serves as one of the biggest no-kill shelters in the nation. Photo opps can be purchased here.
Sigma Comics
Sigma Comics is a comic book publisher dedicated to stopping animal cruelty. Their flagship comic Calico, is an anti-hero that takes the brutality of the Punisher Comics and applies it to animal abusers. Many of the stories printed by the group are based on true stories that did not receive mass media coverage.
One of the reasons for the publisher’s creation was to give back to animal charities that have been vetted to ensure the money raised is going directly to the animals that need it most. Every comic sold helps animal shelters continue to do their work in the communities they serve. They will be set up in Artist Alley at table AP25. More about the publisher can be found here.
Extra Life
Extra Life is a charity that supports children's hospitals and the research and care they provide for patients. The Chicago Guild supports Lurie Children’s Hospital, and the guild will be out in full force for the entire weekend.
The group will be set up in the Community Zone where attendees can learn more about the mission of the charity and donate to get their hands on some awesome merchandise! All proceeds directly benefit the patients at Lurie Children’s Hospital, and attendees can learn more about signing up to live stream themselves playing video, board, and other games to raise funds for the hospital.
Costumers With a Cause
Costumers With a Cause is a national charity that has seven divisions spread across the country. The Midwest Division will be in attendance at Fan Expo Chicago in the Community Zone to interact with attendees. The charity will have a backdrop and photobooth available for cosplayers to take photos in.
The group partners with other charities to raise funds on their behalf and also hosts and participates in community events to bring smiles to the faces of children. Members attend events in costumes, portraying superheroes and interacting with children at different events year-round.
League of Enchantment
The League of Enchantment will be set up in the Community Zone with a few events taking place throughout the weekend. Friday, the group will host a kids superhero fitness class and will host a kids storytime with superheroes on both Saturday and Sunday. The group will also host Captain America shield making on Sunday for kids to make and take home their own shield.
The goal of the group is to put smiles on the faces of children in the community through appearing in costume at hospitals, events, and more. More about the group can be found here.
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