GREATER SPRINGFIELD – Donnie Francis first dressed as a superhero as a gag, but then a series of events happened that pushed the behavioral interventionist into a new part of his life: a cosplayer with a purpose.

In comic book circles, a cosplayer is someone who dresses like a superhero character and attends functions, such as conventions. Some cosplayers do it for fun, making their own costumes and posing for photos from fans, and some others are professionals, creating elaborate costumes, teaching workshops and entering competitions. It’s an art form that combines acting with crafts and fabricating.

For Francis, he is using his cosplay character based on the Green Arrow on the popular TV series “Arrow” to raise money for charities and to bring a smile to people’s faces.

Now a resident of Ware, Francis recalled that he was a comic book fan as a child. “ I read what I could when I was younger, whatever I could get my hands on. Superheroes helped me get through what I went through,” he told Reminder Publications.

As a joke, he acquired a Deadpool costume, and was walking with his friends when spotted by Lewis Perry, one of the producers and hosts of the “Angry Geek” podcast.

“Lewis chased after us,” Francis recalled.

With the Deadpool suit he helped out with a toy drive to benefit patients at the Baystate Children’s Hospital. While he had a good time, he realized that profane Deadpool wasn’t “kid friendly and mother approved.”

He was always a fan of the Green Arrow, a character who came back into prominence through the success of the TV series “Arrow” and decided to create his own Arrow costume.

It helps that Francis has the physique for the role. He has fought twice as a mixed martial arts competitor as well as having a background in Jiu Jitsu.

He assembled the suit in February 2017, with some parts of it found online, while others from a cosplay costume company. The gloves and boots are those worn by many police officers. He explained the costume needed to be able to handle the movement he would perform as Arrow.

His bow is real, rather than a prop and Francis has developed an interest in archery because of the character.

He went to a comic book show with Perry, where a photographer shot him for a cosplay calendar. The positive experience encouraged him and when he made his Instagram account public he quickly gained a 1,000 followers.

That first appearance was particularly meaningful, as he was still bruised from a mixed martial arts fight that he lost. Since then, Francis has been The Arrow for another toy drive effort that yielded more than 1,000 toys and $400 he raised personally. He has worked with The Make a Wish Foundation and has made hospital visits.

One visit truly touched Francis. He explained the mother of a steelworker approached him. Her son, in his 40s, fell 40 feet and was seriously injured. He was a “huge fan of Green Arrow,” Francis said and his mother asked if Francis would visit him.

Francis, in the full leather suit with bow and arrows, drew some stares from the nurses on the ward, but the man was “super excited and smiling” when Francis came into his room. The patient and his daughter watch the program together.

“It was very overwhelming,” Francis said.

He readily admitted that he is still new to the cosplay effort. “I’m still growing, still trying to find opportunities to help as Green Arrow,” Francis explained. He added while comic cons are fun – “they’re kind of like an extra.” – he loves appearing as charily events as they provide a “humbling experience.”

Meeting other cosplayers, such as Matches Malone who appears as Batman, has assisted Francis in getting involved with charity work. He is currently trying to arrange an event up with the owner of a local gym.

Francis does not make money as Arrow, and explained the endeavor has cost him several thousand dollars, but the personal reward has been great for him.

Ultimately he would like to use his Arrow experience a springboard to assist people online “to make a positive difference in their lives through diet and fitness.”

To follow Francis, join his “Western Ma Green Arrow” Facebook page.