The San Diego International Comic-Con is known for its panels, long lines and celebrity appearances.
But now, there’s a charity aspect of it that’s not officially affiliated with the Con.
It’s called “Conversations with a Cause,” and it’s the brainchild of “Chuck” star Zachary Levi.
Levi, 32, is in San Diego to promote the event and to raise money for Operation Smile.
Operation Smile provides services so that children with cleft lips or palates get the surgery they need.
Their Web site says 1 in 10 children die before his or her first birthday from the oral deformity.
Levi says he got involved about six years ago.
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“I feel like it’s important if you have a platform and you have some clout and have an ability to shine a line on an issue.” Levi said. “I think it’s a good thing and important thing to have found one.”
“Conversations with a Cause” starts kicks off on July 18 at Petco Park as part of Levi’s company Nerd HQ.
The money raised goes to help Operation Smile.
Levi says the event started out as a party and then grew into something more.
“The first year we held it in a basement of a club, and then I got with my partner the next year and decided to do another day and then we decided to do all four days of the con,” he said.
“The fans are here, why not do it?”
Last year, actor Nathan Fillion turned his panel into an auction which raised even more money for the charity.
Levi says he’s not shy about engaging with fans.
“I’m a big fan of interacting with your fans,” he said. “But you can do it in a safe and fun way.”
If you want to go tickets are $22.
But you’d better hurry because there are only 250 seats per panel.
After the Con, the Ventura native is headed back to New York City to headline the Broadway musical “First Date.”
And you’ll be able to catch him this fall in “Thor: The Dark World.”
And for fans of his show “Chuck” which aired on NBC he has this tidbit.
“I’d love to do a ‘Chuck’ movie someday, but it’s too early to talk about it.”
