CAN'T STOP THE SERENITY 2011

$3,231 (75%) raised for Equality Now

$1,077 (25%) raised for Kids Need to Read

Every 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. Our event is held at Raleighwood Cinema Grill. The raffle brought in $1,683. The rest of the money came from ticket sales and sponsorships. 

See more photos of the event at Penny Photography.

COSTUME CONTEST: Judges were award-winning costumer Jennie Faries, sci-fi author Mark L. Van Name, and Sam Montgomery-Blinn, editor of Bull Spec magazine. First-, second- and third-place trophies donated by Wake Forest Awards and Engraving.

2011 RAFFLE PRIZES AWARDED

CHRISTIANA ELLIS award-winning local author and podcaster donated signed copies of her book, "Nina Kimberly the Merciless," a fantasy novel with a modern sense of humor, about the headstrong teenage daughter of a barbarian conqueror. The podcast was an inaugural nominee for the 2006 Parsec Award for Best Speculative Fiction Long Form and was also nominated for a Podcast Peer Award. In 2010, Foreword Magazine awarded Nina Kimberly the Merciless with the Bronze Award for Best Sci-Fi/Fantasy Novel of the Year.

Special guest sci-fi author Mark L. Van Name autographed a copy of his book CHILDREN NO MORE for one lucky winner. This is the fourth and latest installment of Van Name's series featuring nano-enhanced mercenary Jon Moore and sentient assault vehicle Lobo. Van Name is donating every cent he receives (including the advance) from the sale of both hardcover and paperback copies of the CHILDREN NO MORE to Falling Whistles campaign for peace in the Congo, to help rehabilitate and reintegrate child soldiers.

This beautiful, one-of-a-kind "Ladies of Serenity" necklace was designed and handmade by Durham artist Diana Keever just for our raffle. It features kimono fabric cord, bullet casing, black leather, buddha charm, pistol charm, heart, key and Swarovski crystals, representing Zoe, Inara, Kaylee and River.

A replica of River's sword.

Kaylee's shiny prize bucket with one hand-painted rice paper parasol from Firefly Cargo Bay, Kaylee letter "K" Scrabble tile pendant on hand-dyed pink silk cord and Simon letter "S" Scrabble tile pendant on leather cord from JLHjewelry, "SHINY" bumper sticker, "Everything is Shiny" button, screwdriver, and teddy bear patch from Washosaurus. (Total value of this prize is $65.)

Steampunk prize package donated by Jen Hilton of JLHjewelry: Two steampunk books featuring her work, "Steampunk Style Jewelry" and "1000 Steampunk Creations," and a handmade acid-etched and hammered brass and copper "serenity" pendant. (Cover price for each book is $25 apiece, retail value of necklace is $38. Total prize value of $88.)

11x17 print of Mike Henderson's drawing of Mal and Serenity.

Handmade glass pendant created by Cary artist Linda Searcy.

A cast iron tea set from Japan, with a dragonfly design.

Jason Palmer's "River vs Reavers" prints.

A limited edition reaver ship ornament.

Shepherd Book prize basket includes a copy of Serenity: The Shepherd's Tale graphic novel, Shepherd Book necklace by JLHjewelry, rosemary, serenity pen, and an authentic autographed card from the Serenity trading card series by Inkworks signed by Ron Glass. (Total value of this prize is more than $50.)

Serenity Alliance Currency Money Packs -- fan club exclusive edition with Miranda map -- from Qmx.

A "Serenity Sake" pint glass and t-shirt (size L) by artist Ian Leino.

Fruity Oaty Bar prize bag is one BlueQ "Yum!" tote filled with fruity treats from Japan and Singapore, temporary tattoos, and two 4x6 acrylic magnets featuring the Fruity Oaty Bar girls. (Total value of this prize is more than $20.)

Limited edition Browncoats t-shirt (size XL) by Teefury.com.

Firefly hairsticks courtesy of LaRachelle Designs.

Other raffle items include...

Jayne's bunk junk prize pack with a very cunning knitted hat from Illusionext, a brand new Cabela's safari shirt (size XL) with an Army pilot pin on the pocket (similar to the shirt and pin he wore in the Maidenhead bar), Alliance replica money, a deck of cards, a replica of his forged medical badge (from the Firefly episode "Ariel") and other goodies from the Hero of Canton. (Total value of this prize is more than $80.)

Browncoat prize basket which includes a sterling silver "serenity" pendant from Dragonweave, Browncoat soap by Geeky Clean, brown wax candle, reusable Browncoat grocery bag from Washosaurus, "Serenity" comic by Dark Horse, "Space Age Loser" CD by the Browncoats band, goodies from Firefly Cargo Bay, items from Cats Dreaming -- fabric fortune cookie, serenity bookmark and "leaf on the wind" pendant, and a ceramic "serenity" magnet by Earthenwood Studio. (Total value of this prize is more than $85.)

* Firefly/Serenity patch collection, including Serenity logo patch, Independents military patch, limited edition 2009 CSTS patch, "Keep Flying" Firefly patch, and Blue Sun patch. (Total value more than $35.)

Pfaltzgraff "SERENITY" votive candle holder

Framed Serenity trading cards donated by Metropolis Magazines

Framed Buffy trading cards donated by Metropolis Magazines

Framed 11x17 "Bellerophon Fire" poster by John Anderson. The Bellephoron Fire design was originally created for the webseries COURAGE, and appeared in promo shots of the production. It's a sport based on 'hoopball' which the cast plays in hold of the ship.

Done the Impossible DVD

Bedlam Bards "On the Drift" autographed CD

Browncoats: Redemption Fan Film DVD

Finding Serenity a collection of essays edited by Jane Espenson

Serenity Found another collection of essays edited by Jane Espenson