Comedy event to support Coats of Kindness

Since 2009, Iowa City comedians have come together for a cause.

This year’s Comedy for Charity benefit will raise donations and funds for winter coats and clothing for those in need through the Minnesota-based charity Coats of Kindness.

Iowa City-based comics Nathan Timmel and Mike Lucas developed this year’s showcase together. The show starts at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Iowa City Yacht Club in downtown Iowa City. Other performers include Donny Townsend and Tim Sullivan, with hosts Clare Roth and Travis Bails.

Timmel said planning the seventh annual charity show is “a roller coaster,” but in the best way.

“You pick a good cause, you line up performers, you offer a great show at a great value with the opportunity for customers to come out and boost their karma by doing good for the world,” he said.

Last year’s Comedy for Charity raised more than $6,000 for the toddler Avery Flick and her family. Avery was fighting cancer, and the funds raised helped offset her medical costs and support her family while they took time away from work to help her treatment.

That event was particularly tough for Timmel due to the circumstances, he said, especially as a father of two himself. Avery Flick sadly lost her fight against cancer in October 2015.

This year, the Comedy for Charity fans are supporting another important cause — helping clothe families against the often brutal Midwest winter.

Comedian Mike Lucas pushed for Coats of Kindness as the charity of choice for this year’s cause. His wife, Iowa City teacher Kelly Lucas, works at Longfellow Elementary, where fellow teacher Paula Rocca spearheads a Coats of Kindness drive every year. While the showcase is separate from the school’s efforts, Lucas said he was inspired to provide the same help.

“I’ve heard so many great stories of people coming to collect coats for their families each year,” Lucas said. “There are never enough. So the more we can add to the collection, the better.”

Those attending this year’s Comedy for Charity showcase should bring donations of coats, mittens or other winter gear for all ages and genders as their admission to the show. A freewill cash donation to Coats of Kindness will also be accepted at the door.