FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Shane Gerlach – director@siouxpercon.com
Sioux Falls, S.D. — SiouxperCon donated $5,000 to Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana this week to help make life-changing wishes come true for children with critical illnesses, thanks to the generosity of the attendees of the 8th annual event.
“SiouxperCon is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run entirely by a volunteer staff and board,” Shane Gerlach, founder and board member. “Over the years we have donated over $30,000.00 to local charities including JY6 Foundation and REACH Literacy. It’s so exciting to add Make-A-Wish South Dakota and Montana to the list of beneficiaries,” he said.
“We are grateful for the generous support of SiouxperCon, its Board of Directors, event attendees and sponsors,” said Sue Salter, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish South Dakota & Montana. “This generosity will bring hope to kids that are battling critical illnesses, giving them the strength to fight. Wish experiences can positively impact a child’s physical well-being and overall quality of life, and can bring families closer together.”
Gerlach understands. His own son, 15-year-old Derek, suffered from a cancerous brain tumor, and Make-A-Wish made a huge impact on the whole family by providing them with a wish to go to the Yankees Spring Training. Derek currently continues his recovery journey and leads the charge alongside his parents to help make other wishes come true.
Gerlach and Brian Brokemeir started SiouxperCon in 2016 and it has grown from 1200 attendees in its first year to 10,500 in 2023. This year’s event theme is Happily Ever After, and will include a real wedding. The event takes up both the Sioux Falls Convention Center and Arena September 27 to 29 this fall.
SiouxperCon is a nonprofit educational event dedicated to promoting literacy, STEAM education and valuable life skills in a safe, inclusive and friendly environment. The vision of SiouxperCon is to engage all individuals, cultivating their interest in all fandoms and popular art forms through workshops, panels, seminars, exhibitions and hosting conventions.
For more information on SiouxperCon visit https://siouxpercon.com.