And living up to the name is exactly what Fiduccia and his team did at the 2019 Great Falls Comic Expo Spring Edition, raising close to $3000.00 in just two days for a local firefighter who received a new heart.
Tim Smith
had to step down as Chief of Fire and EMS in Sebago, Maine after being placed on the priority list for a heart transplant in late March. Smith had severe heat disease and after about 30 procedures, including 13 stents to keep his vessels open, doctors told him his only option to survive was a new heart,
Smith received that new heart right around the time of the Great Falls Comic Expo. A procedure that added to the hefty medical bills piling up in Smith's home. So Fiduccia worked out a deal with show organizer Ben Santos from Tea & Lobster Productions to help Smith pay at least some of those bills using funds raised at the show.
"Joe was at the expo last year supporting a gentleman who received a double-lung transplant", explains Santos. "The show was a resounding success and set the stage for an even better fundraising performance in 2019. So when the offer was presented to assist Tim, I knew we had the ability to make a true impact with Joe's help."
Fiduccia and Santos coordinated a fundraising experience that rallied the entire community. They partnered with Sebago EMS lead (and personal friend of Tim) Jason Schoolcraft to coordinate a grand entrance into town, complete with Fire & Rescue vehicles as well as a Police escort. Fiduccia kick started the campaign with a live Facebook
video advertising the opportunity for people to come to the Expo and experience a fun family afternoon while also supporting a great cause.
With the help of a Bumblebee replica
and others alongside Optimus Prime, Fiduccia set up a Transformers attraction on the show floor of the Expo. They offered driver seat photos to fans for a minimum donation of $10 - $15.00 per person. 50% of those proceeds went directly to Tim Smith. And the line of people waiting for a photo stretched across the entire show floor.
"People were entering the show asking right away where to find Team Prime. Families were over-the-top excited at the chance to see something as unique as Optimus", says Santos. "Firefighters even came to the show to help their comrade. The support from the community was overwhelming."
The Great Falls Comic Expo spanned two days. During that time, Fiduccia and team were able to raise over $2800.00 for Smith and his medical bills. Michelle Stosez, the owner of Bumblebee and a last minute entry after another Bee owner cancelled last minute, even chipped in to boost the initial fundraising results to that number.
"Being part of this experience with Team Prime was the highlight of the year for me", says Stosez. "Giving something extra to Tim was the least I could do to show my appreciation."
We invite you to watch the video below from the Optimus Is Here
YouTube channel
highlighting this adventure in Maine with Team Prime!
Though the 2019 show was a huge success for Santos and his team, he was not sure if the Great Falls Comic Expo would return in 2020. But if they do, you can rest assured Fiduccia will remain committed to surpassing the fundraising records they have set in the previous two years.
