Launch Week Extravaganza!
Depending on what platform you are coming from you may have already seen this, but here is Cullen’s official press release (with minor tweaks for the website) as well as a link to the GiveButter campaign that Cindy set up! We are so excited to work and grow with all of you and cannot wait to share more as the Lantern’s grow brighter!
THE MIDNIGHT LANTERN IS LIT
We had a crazy idea.
We wanted to do something to bring some happiness and joy to families in need, something small but meaningful, something that could illuminate a dark night. We wanted to share a love of horror, dark fantasy, fantasy, and science fiction. The stories that scared us, thrilled us, comforted us. We wanted to create something that didn’t just offer up gifts, but passed along imagination, curiosity, and hope.
And, so, the lantern was lit.
The Midnight Lantern Foundation was born from a simple belief.
Stories matter.
Imagination matters.
And sometimes, a book, a game, or a small piece of wonder can be a light in the shadows.
The Midnight Lantern Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing imaginative joy to children and families who need it most. Through books, comics, games, art, and genre-inspired gifts, the Foundation gathers and shares the kinds of stories that once helped us feel braver, less alone, and more hopeful. Horror, fantasy, science fiction, and all things wonderfully strange can teach courage, empathy, creativity, and resilience.
At its heart, the Midnight Lantern Foundation exists to pass along that spark. The spark that made monsters feel conquerable. The spark that made strange worlds feel like home. The spark that reminded us that even in the darkest places, light can still push the shadows back.
Midnight Lantern is a dedicated to bringing comfort, creativity, and joy to children and families in need through the power of storytelling and fandom. Rooted in a love of horror, fantasy, science fiction, comics, books, and gaming, our mission is to encourage imagination, support literacy, and foster community through generosity and shared creativity.
I have a lifelong personal connection to horror, fantasy, science fiction, role-playing games, and comics. Over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand how stories can help individuals cope, connect, and see themselves reflected in imaginative realms. Midnight Lantern is built on the idea that these creative outlets can have a meaningful and positive impact on families today.
Fandom plays a central role in the organization’s philosophy. One of the defining strengths of fan communities is their desire to share what they love. We will be working with donors, creators, and community partners to collect and distribute books, games, toys, and imaginative materials to families facing hardship, with a focus on outreach during the holiday season and other moments when a little magic can mean everything. By gathering gifts from fans, creators, and supporters, Midnight Lantern works to deliver meaningful experiences to families who may benefit from a sense of wonder, escape, and belonging.
Because, sometimes, all it takes is a small light to make the dark feel a little less overwhelming.
During its initial year of operation, The Midnight Lantern Foundation will begin with a focused, manageable program. The first major initiative will involve assembling curated gift bundles—including books, toys, comics, games, and age-appropriate genre items—and delivering them to a small number of families during the 2026 holiday season.
We’ll grow from there.
Rather than pursuing rapid expansion, the organization prioritizes impact, transparency, sustainability, and community engagement. By starting small and learning from each step, Midnight Lantern aims to develop into a distinctive nonprofit that supports readers, fans, gamers, creative thinkers, and families through the imaginative power of genre storytelling.
A lantern in the dark—offering light, imagination, and hope.
If you see me at conventions and events in the future, you will notice a bit of a focus on The Midnight Lantern Foundation. I’ll have free comics to hand out on behalf of the organization, so keep a watchful eye!
And… if you feel inclined to help us get established with business expenses, website upkeep, marketing, and other startup costs, we are running an initial fundraising campaign. The Midnight Lantern Foundation is a verified 501c3, so your donations are tax deductible!