2010

$3,127.95 (75%) to Equality Now
$1,042.64 (25%) to Kids Need to Read

PHOTOS from RALEIGH CSTS 2010 courtesy of Penny Photography.

Congrats, Raleigh, on being one of the CSTS "5 Year Veteran Cities"

Once a year, Browncoats around the globe hold charity screenings of the sci-fi movie SERENITY to raise money for Equality Now and other worthy causes. In Raleigh, we also support Kids Need to Read. For five years, we've had our screening at Raleighwood Cinema Grill, 6609 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh.

COSTUME CONTEST winners were...

First place: "River"


Second place: "Badger"

Third place: "Lovebot"

RAFFLE PRIZES:

* Official Malcolm Reynolds Stunt Pistol Replica by Quantum Mechanix, courtesy of Michael Cluth.

 

* Replica of River's axe from True Swords


* "River vs. Reavers" print by Jason Palmer.



* Companion gift basket including an autographed picture of Morena Baccarin.



* Gift Certificate for a 6-week Bellydance Class with Haala of Halo Bellydance in Cary (value $72).

* Official Serenity Blueprint Reference Pack by QMx, donated by Jen Hilton.

* Serenity Movie Blue Sun Logo Blue Frosted Shooter Glasses (set of two) and bottle of rice wine.

* Jayne Cobb "Public Relations" gift basket with grenade necklace, "Bunkmate" shirt from Out to the Black Outfitters, "His & Hers" Jayne hats knitted by Emma Guild.

* Big Damn Heroes gift basket with comics, pvc figures, and other items representing the nine crew members.

* Hammered Metal "Serenity" Pendant handmade by JLHjewelry

* Serenity lunchbox packed with Firefly t-shirt, a Chinese "serenity" pendant from Dragonweave, items from the California Browncoats, and other goodies.

* Jayne hat knitted by Emma Guild.

* Serenity Reaver Ship limited edition ornament

* Alliance Currency Money Pack from Qmx

* "Done the Impossible" DVD

* Bedlam Bards "On the Drift" autographed CD

* The Browncoats CD and autographed poster

* "Serenity Found" and "Finding Serenity" books edited by Jane Espenson

* Serenity: Float Out comic donated by Aaron Stone

Welcoming remarks by emcee Jen Hilton: 

Why are we here? The beer? 

We're here because we're Browncoats. And Browncoats aim to misbehave. 

We said no, we're not going to stand by while women and girls all over the world are abused, sold into slavery, physically maimed and tortured, and denied the ability to vote or go to school. We're going to raise money for Equality Now to aid in the fight for the rights of women and girls in the 'verse. 

We said no, we're not going to stand by while libraries go unfunded, schools go without books, children go without reading. We're going to support Kids Need to Read, co-founded by our Captain. 

When they canceled Firefly, we signed petitions, we started fan groups, we fought on the losing side. We're still not convinced it was the wrong one. 

And we got SERENITY. 

We're here because doing what's right sometimes means doing what's wrong. Doing what's geeky. Doing what's difficult. Doing what's unexpected. Doing the impossible. 

And that makes us mighty. 

So, I'm asking more of you than I've ever asked before. 

I'm asking you to thank Jim Shires for doing this job and NOT getting paid, for volunteering to head up the 2010 Raleigh Can't Stop the Serenity. I've been the Zoe to his Mal this year. 

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Jen Hilton, the one who brought SERENITY to Raleigh in 2006, 2007 and 2008. In 2009, while Maer, Sharon and Liz did the job, I took a break to be a Global Sponsor. 

And now I'm asking you to thank Raleighwood Cinema Grill, which has been such a great venue for us these past five years. Thank Jean Best, who's worked with us during that time to make this a successful event. 

I'm asking you to thank all of our event sponsors: Berekeley Cafe, JLH Jewelry, Wake Forest Awards and Engraving, The Magic Corner, SeTech Support, the Mutineers Serenity RPG Group, Aaron and Sarah Stone, Susan Sewell, and Steve Burnett. And to thank the individuals and businesses who donated our raffle prizes. Crack open that program and you'll see them all listed there. 

I'm asking you to buy raffle tickets. We've got some amazing prizes this year. All of the raffle money goes to our causes, 75% to Equality Now and 25% to Kids Need to Read, which is as much as the Global Organizers will let us donate to KNTR. Remember to keep one half of your raffle ticket and put the other half into the container for the prize you want to win. 

And finally, I'm asking you to keep flying. Thank you for supporting this event and for being part of our crew. 

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