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$4000 raised by Optimus and team for Children's Miracle Network

February 10, 2019

When was the last time you spotted a group of Transformers vehicles raising funds for the Children's Miracle Network? If you're like us, probably just one time. And that was in the winter of 2019, when Optimus Prime and other Transformers replicas joined forces for a great cause at the Pennsylvania Auto Show.


Joe Fiduccia, owner of Optimus Is Here, was contacted by one of the promoters at the Auto Show late in 2018 with a chance to display Optimus on their show floor. Fiduccia offered them the option of adding a few more vehicles, like the fan favorite "Bumblebee" Camaro, and even suggested setting up a fundraising option for people who wish to donate. 


The event organizers agreed to partner and support one of their primary charities, the Children's Miracle Network of Hershey, Pennsylvania.
"Supporting the children is what Optimus Prime as a character would do", says Fiduccia.  "The entire franchise was built for kids and young adults. So when the show promoter suggested supporting their local CMN, it was a no-brainer for me."

Optimus and the other replicas set up for the 4-day show in Harrisburg, PA. Throughout the event, fans were presented with an option to get driver seat photos with their favorite bot. And in this case, 100% of the proceeds would go directly to the charity. 

As it's a rare site, the majority of fans clamored to get up close with Optimus. But several kids couldn't wait to meet their personal favorite (Bumblebee) as well."

We invite you to watch the video below from the Optimus Is Here YouTube channel highlighting this very adventure!
While Fiduccia says he is no longer partnered with these particular vehicles and their owners. he is grateful for the experience they offered that winter, and believes the experience is one local fans won't soon forget. 

"It was an exhausting but very successful weekend", explains Fiduccia. "We broke records and did something that to my knowledge has never been offered before in the history of the Transformers franchise."
Joe Fiduccia speaking to the students of Roosevelt Elementary School in Point Pleasant, WV

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