Heroes of Healing: 

In the vast landscape of the cosplay community, we often talk about the power of escapism—the joy of stepping out of our regular lives to become something larger than ourselves. But in Phoenix, Arizona, there is a collective of creators operating on an entirely different level. They don’t just wear the armor of classic Marvel and DC heroes for the applause or the craftsmanship.

They wear it to save lives.

Established in 2019, Put on the Cape a Foundation for Hope is a grassroots powerhouse of 30 active members that has quietly revolutionized what it means to be a "cause-player." To date, the organization has raised and donated more than $600,000 to Child Advocacy Centers across Arizona and Michigan, transforming the terrifying reality of criminal investigations for severely abused children into moments of profound empowerment.

COZ Magazine sat down with the foundation's founder and CEO, Sean E. Reavie, to unmask an organization born from the absolute darkest corners of reality, fueled by an unwavering mission of hope.

To understand the sheer weight of what Put on the Cape accomplishes, you have to understand Sean’s background. Sean is an active, 20-year veteran law enforcement officer, but back in 2015, he was working as a Crimes Against Children detective in the Special Victim’s Unit (SVU) of the fifth largest city in the United States.

One night, he was called out to interview a heavily traumatized boy who had suffered horrific physical abuse. The child was so paralyzed by terror that he sat curled tightly into a ball, completely silent. The clock was ticking. Outside the room, a SWAT team sat hidden around the suspect's house, waiting for the signal to make an arrest. If the boy couldn't speak, a dangerous abuser would walk free.

Faced with a wall of silence, Sean didn't see a case file; he saw his own childhood. He remembered hiding in his own closet as a little boy, seeking refuge from a mentally ill mother by pretending he was Spider-Man swinging away to safety.

Sean took a breath and asked the boy a simple question: "Do you like Superheroes?"

The response was instantaneous. The child leapt from his chair, screaming "IRON MAN!" and running around the room. By bridging the gap through the universal language of heroes, the boy found his courage. He sat back down and named his abuser. The suspect was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 28 years in prison.

But as Sean walked the brave young survivor out of the building, he went to the station's toy room looking for a superhero action figure or t-shirt to give him—something to reinforce that newfound strength. The shelves were completely bare.

Disappointed but deeply inspired, Sean went straight to his sergeant. On September 1, 2015, the very first "Superhero September" donation drive was born.

What started as local first responders donning basic Halloween costumes has evolved into a highly respected, meticulously run 501c3 foundation. Put on the Cape has officially adopted Child Advocacy Centers across eight Arizona cities—including Glendale, Scottsdale, and the Salt River Tribal Community—as well as multiple locations in Northern Michigan and Grand Rapids.

The organization raises massive funding through community car shows, golf tournaments, 5ks, and their signature "Superhero Shopping Sprees." Because Sean maintains a grueling schedule handling fundraising, sponsor relations, and media appearances as an active officer, the foundation's internal roles are finely tuned. Vice Presidents Scott Snover and Jamie Mullins—both of whom have been by Sean's side since 2016—keep the gears turning. Scott commands the specialized Cause Play team, while Jamie manages the distribution of charitable giving.

For Sean, the ultimate weapon in their utility belt is absolute, unyielding transparency.

"I give away our funds in public," Sean states firmly. "I tell people exactly where the money goes. Our reputation is stellar because high-level business leaders know that giving us money means kids are getting the exact help we promise. We return 95% of our donations directly to our centers."

This fierce dedication to the cause means Put on the Cape operates differently than standard cosplay groups. They don't make casual convention appearances or participate in multi-group community drama. They are an elite, close-knit team focused solely on their mission. Sean even uses the royalties from his multiple #1 best-selling children’s books to fund the foundation, allowing him to pay his dedicated cosplayers a per-diem and provide a $500 annual stipend for costume repairs and upgrades.

"There is a big difference between a casual non-profit and a dedicated 501c3," Sean explains. "Instead of bringing 25 average cosplayers, we bring 5 to 10 exceptional Cause Players that completely blow the room away."

"Be a hero to someone else. Make your life matter by uplifting those who have no hope."

The impact of their precision focus is felt most deeply in the quiet, personal moments behind the scenes. Sean recalls a time when a mother reached out to the foundation regarding her three-year-old daughter, who was battling terminal cancer. The little girl's absolute favorite hero was Supergirl.

VP Jamie Mullins suited up and answered the call, transforming a standard afternoon into a legendary memory. For a few beautiful hours, the young girl was made to feel completely empowered, safe, and happy. She passed away just a few months later, leaving behind a family comforted by the memory of their little girl smiling alongside her hero.

"We do events to support our mission," Sean says simply. "You have to have that specific mindset."

Looking ahead to the next decade, Sean’s sights are set on an ambitious, beautiful target: raising and giving away $1,000,000 every single year to save children standing in the dark. "Why? Because when I was a child, there was nobody there to help me."

For those looking to step into the world of charitable costuming, Sean leaves the readers of COZ Magazine with a definitive piece of veteran advice, alongside a powerful call to action for everyday life:

"You have to do it for the right reasons. If the focus is on the group itself, you will fail or be average. If the focus is entirely on the cause—on someone who truly needs a hero—you win. Be a hero to someone else. People are living lives of quiet desperation, and you would not believe what a kind word or a wonderful gesture can do to help them."

The magic of Put on the Cape relies heavily on its dedicated leadership circle. Be sure to follow and support the personal profiles of the core team keeping the hope alive:

• Sean E. Reavie (Find him on Facebook)

• Jamie Mullins (Find her on Facebook)

• Scott Snover (Find him on Facebook)

• Reem George (Find them on Facebook)