Browncoats raise over $12,000 for charity.
The fan table at Comic-Con raised $12,374.79 for one of Joss's favorite charities "Equality Now". (added: Joss posts in this thread).
I know this is slightly older news, but I felt it deserved a mention here. A big thank you to all that contributed time, money and prizes.
The prize list is pretty amazing:
http://sfbrowncoats.com/events/comiccon2005/charity/prizes/
August 04 2005
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About membership.
'This is a fan-run site, and is not officially endorsed by Joss Whedon or anyone else of importance.'
KBP | August 04, 01:04 CET
miyu_tVP | August 04, 01:34 CET
I am SO proud and grateful that this is where the energy of the Browncoats is going. Buffy and Angel fans have always distinguished themselves through their altruism, but this hits close to home in a way probably none of you know.
My mother started what I believe was the first highschool chapter of Amnesty International. She was a history teacher, and started a feminism course as well (she also directed plays -- not so much the slacker). Probably her favorite student (and she had many that she loved) was Jessica Neuwirth. Jessica went on to work as a lawyer for Amnesty International and then started Equality Now, which used the Amnesty model to combat gender-based offenses. Jessica is as kind, intelligent and dedicated as anyone I've ever known (and would probably cringe to read any of this.) The idea that my work is on a wavelength with Equality Now's agenda is as gratifying as anything I could wish for. But for the fans to take an active role in helping out this under-recognised cause, and on such a grand scale... it means more than I can say. I have said, in point of fact, much more than I usually would in this forum, but I can't contain my appreciation. My mother would have been so pleased.
There are two ways to fight a battle like ours. One is to whisper in the ear of the masses, try subtlely and gradually to change the gender expectations and mythic structures of our culture. That's me. The other is to step up and confront the thousands of atrocities that are taking place around the world on an immediate, one-by-one basis. That's a great deal harder, and that's Equality Now. It's not about politics; it's about basic human decency. And it's more important than... well, than that movie I keep telling everyone to see.
Thank you to the tireless Browncoats and everyone who donated, bid or lifted a finger to raise this money, for making my work mean more than it ever did, even to me.
-joss.
joss | August 04, 01:41 CET
-Stephen
sj | August 04, 02:40 CET
NickSeng | August 04, 02:56 CET
Willowy | August 04, 03:07 CET
(I have trouble raising bus fare most of the time.. to me these are unimaginable riches.)
Well done to everybody involved. Kudos all.
And anybody that didn't contribute still can! Right now! Just clicka de link http://www.equalitynow.org/ et viola!
The internet is wicked clever, huh?
[ edited by Bad Kitty on 2005-08-04 10:13 ]
Bad Kitty | August 04, 03:12 CET
Madhatter | August 04, 03:32 CET
p.s. Joss, I wish I'd known the story about your mother and her favorite student, that would have been great in the spiel. Oh well, next time. We did say Equality Now was your favorite, and that went over well.
[ edited by dreamlogic on 2005-08-04 10:52 ]
[ edited by dreamlogic on 2005-08-04 11:22 ]
[ edited by dreamlogic on 2005-08-04 12:01 ]
dreamlogic | August 04, 03:36 CET
To everyone who donated money, prizes or volunteer time at the table, my sincere appreciation goes out to you. I really wish you all could have been there when I called Mandy at Equality Now to tell her how much you all raised for them. The stunned silence was truly priceless!
But as Joss has pointed out, the real Big Damn Heroes here are Jessica, Mandy, and the other folks at Equality Now, who are out there on the front lines every day, devoting their lives to fighting the Good Fight. It has been an honor and a privilege working with you, and I hope to do it again soon - after I've gotten come sleep, of course.
Eventually, I'm hoping to put together a "how to run a charity fundraiser" guide, to help the organizers of other browncoat events tap into the same resources we were lucky enough to find. If I have my way, this will be just the beginning of a long tradition of browncoats raising money for Equality Now (and other Worthy Causes).
Stay mighty,
--ray (SF Browncoats "Charity Pimp")
PS: We're still working on compiling the list of everyone who donated prizes and booth time at ComicCon (there's just so many of you!). Check the site again next week, and you should be able to see a full list of the people who made this all possible.)
[ edited by RayHill on 2005-08-04 11:43 ]
RayHill | August 04, 04:38 CET
Madhatter | August 04, 05:27 CET
If you really want to wish me success in all my endeavors, head on over to Half.com and play with the site I spend my daytime hours slaving over. It's shiny. (And it has "Keep Flying" hidden in the HTML source code - how'd that happen, I wonder? hehehe)
But I'll save my speach on how wonderful it is working for eBay for another forum... :)
RayHill | August 04, 05:39 CET
RayHill | August 04, 05:46 CET
Simon | August 04, 06:05 CET
SpikeBad | August 04, 07:15 CET
It is a small table with a few small but choice prizes. I can't imagine how much work it took to do the Ethel Merman of Tables. Kudos to all of you. And it has served to raise awareness of Equality Now among us as well as the larger world. What could be better?
Lioness | August 04, 07:35 CET
nakedandarticulate | August 04, 07:42 CET
Caroline | August 04, 07:46 CET
I've never been more proud of the whedonverse.
Madhatter | August 04, 07:59 CET
nixygirl | August 04, 08:10 CET
Would it maybe be a good idea to put a permanent link on the Whedonesque frontpage to the Equality Now website under some sort of ‘Joss favourite charity’ heading? I am just thinking given that this is about continuously updated campaigns, it might be nice to have a permanent reminder and be able to surf across easily, particularly for those who do not want to sign up to the mailing list (which I totally understand, we all support different charities in our lives). But you know when you are bored, there might be time for the occasional letter or card.
I realise there are many other charitable efforts in the verse and one isn’t worth more than the other (personally I wholeheartedly supported the Angel Food Drive as this just happened to be my favourite show) but this site is kind of all about the Whedon and I don’t think anybody could object to putting a charity of his choice up here (particularly one where people can do something easily and cheaply to help in their own spare time while at home).
Ok obviously I lied, this site is actually all about us, but hey, lets keep pretending :)
I hasten to add to the mods that this is just a suggestion – you already provide so much more with this site than we could ask for, so you know, just a thought and no pressure.(I hope I am not overstepping the mark.)
miranda | August 04, 09:04 CET
looking | August 04, 09:23 CET
gossi | August 04, 09:44 CET
injust | August 04, 09:57 CET
PBP raised something like 70k for Make-A-Wish, Angel's Food Drive delivered truckloads of food to people who need it the most, 30 families received new children's books for their kids in honor of Joss' newborn son, the Wooten Center was able to keep the lights on and provide tutoring to the kids of South Central, and there's so much more.
Caroline, I too get really wonky about the kerfuffles and acidic attitutes in fandom, but at the same time that's happening, anytime someone needs help, or there's a project to raise funds for a worthy cause, everyone just helps. No questions asked, aside from, "where do I send the check?"
I think that this is due in part to the stories that we all loved, that a tiny group of misfits can save the world. I know how melodramatic that sounds, but in all these years of fandom, the thing I am most sure of is that these fans are just heartachingly generous with their time and their money.
Anytime I've opened my Paypal account for a fan effort to give to a charity, or even to help a fellow fan in need, in a matter of days, or sometimes hours, a goal is reached.
I'm unsure sometimes if Joss knows just how many people in the world have been comforted in some way as a result of the fanbase's selflessness. And it's not just charity, there's a bunch of new babies in the world due to parents who met each other at a fan gathering as well.
I'm not particularly articulate right now, as I just woke up and haven't finished my coffee, but what you said struck me so. I get sort of bitter and upset by fandom's infighting all the time, but things like this happen at such a regular clip that I'm reminded often why I love fandom so much, and even when I think my head might explode, I remember that any given time, and effort like this is happening as well, and it reminds me why I love and respect our fandom so very much.
Allyson | August 04, 10:01 CET
Allyson | August 04, 10:37 CET
MySerenity | August 04, 10:39 CET
zeitgeist | August 04, 11:13 CET
as always thanks to all the volunteers, all prize donors, everyone who bought a ticket, and especially to my crew: Malsgal, DanRegal, Ray, dvdguy, bosslady & Brian. It was such a pleasure to work with you all.
words aren't coming too easily right now, so I'm going to swipe some copy I wrote ages ago for our website:
"Being a fan of a sci-fi show is sometimes all about the drama, the humor, the hotties, and the special effects. But the beautiful thing about Joss's work is that underneath all the glitz is a core philosophy of empowerment and equality. Joss is re-writing gender roles, making the audience more accepting of women in powerful roles, and showing us the inherent danger of blindly following obsolete stereotypes. He humanizes the marginalized, empowers the weak, and captures the murky, conflicting ambiguity of real-life morality."
days like this I'm so proud to call myself a Browncoat.
miyu_tVP | August 04, 11:39 CET
SoddingNancyTribe | August 04, 11:46 CET
Hasufel | August 04, 11:52 CET
With Buffy and Angel as role models, many people have made a difference to the lives of others and that's true heroism.
I think this can all be summed up in my favourite Joss quote ever-
Razor | August 04, 12:00 CET
FalenAnjl | August 04, 12:03 CET
SHINY!!
Danielle aka sillyd aka malsgrrl(da** i have to many names)
SillyD | August 04, 12:20 CET
[ edited by Razor on 2005-08-04 19:23 ]
[ edited by Razor on 2005-08-04 19:23 ]
Razor | August 04, 12:20 CET
FalenAnjl | August 04, 12:22 CET
killinj | August 04, 12:29 CET
bobster | August 04, 12:52 CET
[ edited by bobster on 2005-08-04 20:02 ]
bobster | August 04, 13:01 CET
absolutely!!! There is such a wonderful synergy between Joss's work and Equality Now's work. EN needs our help, not just in to the form of money, but our time, thought and devotion. Passionate, articulate letters to the right people can be far more effective than money. It would warm my heart to no end to get the Browncoat community engaged in this cause on such a personal level. Anyone who couldn't particpate at comic-con, either because of geography or finances, this would be a very effective, meangiful way for you to help the cause.
a list of current issues can be found here. Just click on any heading for more info and an address to which to send your letters.
miyu_tVP | August 04, 13:27 CET
We will be releasing some of the better highlights from the interview for free download. Also, per Joss's request, a percentage of profits from our documentary will be going to "Equality Now".
[edit: A clarification - As suggested below, this documentary is more than just a Joss interview, it will be a full length documentary 75-90 minutes long, telling the story of the rise and fall and rise of Firefly as told from the perspective of the fans. (yes we are shamelessly borrowing the title from one of the chapters of "Finding Serenity")]
[ edited by JeremyN on 2005-08-05 00:47 ]
JeremyN | August 04, 15:22 CET
Is it rude to ask where the rest of the profits go?
Rogue Slayer | August 04, 15:55 CET
um, to the people who worked really hard to make the documentary? I'll let Jeremy give the official answer, but that would be my guess.
Also, I think his post is a bit misleading, in that the documentary is not just 20 minutes of Joss. He & his crew took *hours* of footage - interviewing fans, volunteers, crew, etc. He even got the whole prize giveaway thing on tape. I simply cannot wait to see the finished project!!!!!
miyu_tVP | August 04, 16:26 CET
What a great thread.Allyson, you made me cry.
::sniffle::
And now we have an idea where Joss gets his workaholic tendencies from!
Joss' bitch | August 04, 16:35 CET
In my opinion, anyone who's willing to do the hard work of doing anything in this world beyond just getting by day to day who still manages to make donations, give up part of their earnings to a good cause to do a little a bit of good for someone else in the world, deserves if not our support, then a little bit of slack.
Jeremy and crew could probably sell DVDs by the truck load and after they recoup their expenses (assuming they actually can), just call it good business. They don't have to give anything back or pay anything forward and the truth is browncoats and Joss fans would probably buy their video anyway. And it's free marketing for Serenity, so at the end of the day, even if they do make a buck, it's no harm to anyone if they just cash in. But they're saying right up front and in public so they can't take it back, that they're going to pay some of it forward. There's no sin in making a profit. You can't imagine that Joss and Company aren't getting paid 'cause you KNOW they are.
Personally, I'm choosing to take the high road and give them my support, because:
A. I want a copy of that video.
B. Everyone needs to get by and art needs all the support it can get
and
C. I want to support people who are willing to put a slice of their profits to a good cause.
We could, of course, just sit back and judge them, but as I said I'd rather take the high road and hope to see others taking it with me.
But that's just my $0.02.
Ray, Miyu, Mals Gal, DanRegal and the rest, you know you all did an amazing thing here. Some petty part of myself wishes I could have shared in the glory with you, but at the end of the day, it's just good to see that you pulled it all off and did it in style. There's not a lot of good work being done in the world and you did some right here. Well done.
Cheers!
[ edited by The Rhett on 2005-08-05 00:53 ]
Mr. Bosslady | August 04, 16:46 CET
Harmalicious | August 04, 17:06 CET
You and Bosslady were a huge help in all of this, and contributed some of the very prettiest prizes, if I may say so. ;) you done good too!
miyu_tVP | August 04, 17:30 CET
JeremyN | August 04, 17:52 CET
Dizzy | August 04, 17:55 CET
newcj | August 04, 20:46 CET
Lunakitty | August 04, 23:10 CET
samatwitch | August 04, 23:34 CET
This is just an awesome thread and makes me feel proud to be part of such a compassionate group of people. Social activism through television! Can't say that I see something like this coming out of those nasty reality shows!
I look forward to ordering jeremy's video - I just wish I could have been in it!
ruthless1 | August 05, 14:05 CET
Jessica Neuwirth
Equality Now
Equalitynow | August 08, 11:58 CET
Mr. Bosslady | August 08, 16:00 CET
Nebula1400 | August 08, 22:16 CET
newcj | August 08, 23:17 CET
RBB | August 08, 23:19 CET