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Comic Book Fans Donate School Supplies

Photo left to right: Principal Chris Weikart stands along side Stephen Mayer and Jermaine Exum of Acme Comics. Customers of the local comic book store donated over 200 pounds of school supplies to Cone Elementary.

"In brightest day, in blackest night," begins the oath recited by classic comic book hero Green Lantern as he readies his magic ring for battle. The 2013-14 school year for students at Cone Elementary School in Greensboro, N.C. will be off to bright days indeed, thanks in a small part to local fans of the emerald guardian. Acme Comics delivered more than 200 pounds of new school supplies to the school Friday donated by customers in exchange for collectible Green Lantern rings.

"This is just phenomenal. It's going to be a really big help to our kids," said Principal Chris Weikart standing in front of the mountain of pens, pencils, paper and binders. "This was such a neat idea and a really fun way to connect the community to our school. We're very grateful."

The idea was the brain child of Acme Comics manager Jermaine Exum. Exum said the store received small allotments of the rings throughout the summer as promotional giveaways from DC Comics, the publisher of Green Lantern comic books. Rather than simply sell the rings or give them away as prizes to promote the store, Exum saw an opportunity to meet the needs of local children.

"There are a lot teachers who shop with us and we hear stories from time to time about the challenges their students face," Exum said. "If providing some basic supplies can help kids be successful on the first day school, we wanted to help. Truly, our customers went well above and beyond even our expectations."

Exum noted that while the rings were used as an incentive many customers donated supplies simply because they wanted to help out.

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