Scaring up money for charity

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This article was published 23/10/2017 (2963 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A group of men and women in Winnipeg is using their passion for Ghostbusters movies to make a difference.

Manitoba Ghostbusters, which is made up of fans of the hit 1984 comedy about four men in New York who rid the city of ghosts, has about 20 members.

They share their enthusiasm for the movie franchise by dressing up as its characters and looking for volunteer opportunities.

“We’re here doing something we enjoy doing, not only for ourselves, but for the community as a whole,” member Scott Craig says. “That’s kind of our motto.”

In May, the group made an appearance at the 31st annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic, complete with jumpsuits, proton packs and a gigantic, inflatable Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

For a minimum donation of $2, people could have their photo taken with the group. All of the money was donated to the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba.

The group is planning something similar for its upcoming appearance Oct. 27 to 29 at the Central Canada Comic Con at the convention centre.

Craig hopes the group inspires children.

“We show up in our uniforms to show kids that their dreams can come true, that anybody can be a hero,” the 34-year-old says. “They can stand up to their fears and say, ‘I’m not afraid anymore.’”

Craig saw the film — which spawned two animated TV series, a sequel and a 2016 reboot — when he was five years old. He was hooked.

Chris Liu, who co-founded Manitoba Ghostbusters with Justin Morison, had a similar experience when he saw the film’s 1989 sequel.

Liu, 29, still has some of the Ghostbusters toys he played with as a child, and he recently spent $2,500 on a replica proton pack built by a U.S. company.

Morison, who lives on a farm in Fannystelle, likes to build his own props.

He is working on a handful of ghost traps, the devices Ghostbusters use to catch their phantom foes.

Morison recalls dressing up like a Ghostbuster as a child. He says Manitoba Ghostbusters allows him to return to his childhood.

“It’s an excuse to dress up all year round,” the 33-year-old says.

There are Ghostbusters chapters all over the world, many of which make a positive difference in the community.

Liu, Morison and Craig look forward to the Manitoba Ghostbusters’ future.

Last year’s reboot film underperformed at the box office, but it renewed interest in the franchise, something the Manitoba Ghostbusters are happy about.

“We have members in our group who became Ghostbusters because of that movie,” Morison says. “That’s the thing about our group: there are no limitations. We accept anybody and everybody.”

If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@gmail.com.