Supernatural creator Eric Kripke recently tweeted about the show’s milestone of 300 episodes: “I’m proud of the kindness, generosity, charity, love & community that has come out of this weird show.” All of that was on full display during the recent Creation conventions dubbed “The Giving Back Tour” which happened in Indianapolis, Indiana in September and in Cleveland, Ohio in October. Games, skits, kindness challenges, and camaraderie made for unforgettable experiences that significantly impacted two communities.
Playing Around
One thing that made the programming for the Giving Back Tour special was the addition of games and skits in addition to the usual Q&A during panels. Fans in attendance got to participate with the actors in a variety of guessing games like Heads Up, Trivial Pursuit, Charades, Monster Mash-up, and Mad Libs. There was a flash mob dance party, a sing-along with Louden Swain, and a few lucky fans even got to experience a little of what it’s like to film a scene of Supernatural with Misha Collins!
Behind the scenes, fans got to show off their many creative talents by partaking in a Creative ConQuest. All in attendance got to enjoy a mini-art gallery of themed fan art, from paintings to textiles to photography.
Earning Wings
The Random Acts team, with help from our friends at GISH, put together a kindness-themed game called “Escape From Perdition”. Players spent the weekend spreading kindness in various ways, like making kindness cards, doing random acts of kindness for fellow attendees, and making donations to our partner organizations. Players created tattoos that banished negativity, searched for John Winchester’s journal (and then added their own uplifting messages to it), and shared videos with our friends at IMAlive about why they were glad to be alive.
The kindness heroes who completed their quest and escaped from perdition literally earned their wings, in the form of enamel pins with wings and a blue tie reminiscent of a certain angel. Players who took on extra challenges also earned a special commemorative coin and unofficial archangel status. It was a wonderful convergence of kindness, giving, and art, and we loved every minute of it!
Giving Back
As with most of our stops on the Creation Entertainment convention tour, Random Acts partnered with local organizations in both Indianapolis and Cleveland. But with the Giving Back Tour, our goal was to make a sizable impact in both of those communities. And fans definitely rose to the occasion!
In Indianapolis, we partnered with Horizon House, which provides a variety of supportive services to the homeless population, including hospitality services, employment training, health care, and mental health care. Indianapolis con-goers raised over $10,000 and donated over 10,000 unique items from Horizon House’s wish list!
In Cleveland, we partnered with Family Promise of Greater Cleveland, which provides temporary housing and support services aimed at keeping families together as they move through the trauma of homelessness. Not to be outdone by the Indianapolis fans, con-goers in Cleveland also raised over $10,000 and donated over 10,000 items from Family Promise’s wish list!
Making Memories
There were a lot of favorite moments at these Giving Back Tour stops, but we heard about one in particular many times afterward. Seeing Misha Collins and Rachel Miner share a panel together at both stops was truly an exciting experience for all in attendance. Thank you to Rachel and Misha for such an inspiring panel.
All of us at Random Acts would like to thank Creation Entertainment, the cast of Supernatural, and most of all, the fans for two incredibly meaningful convention experiences. We hope you realize what an incredible impact you’ve made for the communities we visited. Thank you.
