"We are More than Just cosplayers" says Founder of Non-profit Group

TVC22 Journalist Bruce de la Cruz heads over to Du Moulin park to witness something you don’t see every day: the Ghostbusters of Clarence-Rockland and Upper Canada (CRGB). 

The CGRB is a non-profit group that has 3 mandates: to promote ghostbusters fandom, promote local history, and support local charities and community groups. 

It accomplishes those mandates by actively promoting local community events and ghostbuster-franchise items on their social media, going out to find historical artifacts in the local area, and making appearances at local events to draw in crowds. 

In times of crises, the group is known to help out in full gear as well, such as helping out with local floods by filling and placing sandbags in flooded areas. 

The group was co-founded by Jake Sopio, who after going through a traumatic event, wanted to put his energy into something positive.  Being a fan of the Ghosbusters all his life, and seeing similar groups around the world, he and the other co-founder made their first public appearance as a float in the Clarence-Rockland Winter festival in 2017. 

When asked why they don’t consider themselves cos-players, Jake explains that cosplayers are dressing up as a specific character. Members of the group dress up in gear, but imagine themselves as ghostbusters who are actually making a difference with their efforts. 

Jake says that the message he and the other group members are trying to send is to find a way to become involved with your community, and that despite all the negativity of recent times, that there are people who are still trying to do something positive. 

Covid-19 has had a real impact on the group as well, as public appearances are what they do best. With things starting to open up again, Jake is optimistic for the future.