CSTS 2023 Raises $2200!

After a three-year hiatus we held our CAN'T STOP THE SERENITY event on October 1, 2023, at the Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh. 

There were challenges to finding, securing and ultimately holding the event in a new space after so many years at Raleighwood Cinema Grill. A smaller auditorium, rental fees, less time allowed in the space were a few of the challenges. Also many of our sponsors have since moved on or not in the same position to help as years past. Thank you to all of our sponsors both past & present! 

That being said, we held a successful event and it really was wonderful to get this ship back in the air after the 3 year absence. The movie is still great but sadly Wash's fate remains unchanged as does our dear Shepherd Book's! 

We raised $2200 at the event. The donation guidlines have now changed so we were able to donate 75% to a charity of our choice and 25% to Equality Now. 

Our 75% ($1,650) went to Ron Glass's favority charity of which he was a long time board member during his lifetime, The Al Wooten Jr. Youth Center. 

We received a nice letter from the Wooten Center acknowledging our donation and that is was earmarked for the Ron Glass Scholorship. It has been a real joy over the years to work with the Wooten Center and hear stories about Ron. It was wonderful to be able to donate to them again. I'd encourage you to look in the Wooten Center and all they do for youth in their area. 

Equality Now received $550. We have donated to Equality Now since the beginning in 2006. 

I wanted to thank the people that made this all possible. Our sponsers were few but mighty: 

Mark L. Van Name

Wake Forest Awards & Engraving

Aaron Stone 

Our crew: Sharon Walker, Mary McKay Eaton, co-captain & emcee extraordinaire Aaron W. as well as John Haburay for working the door. The hours that Maer & Sharon put in organizing and executing the raffle is simply remarkable. THANK YOU. 

Thanks to Ryan Covington-Grey Jenkins for help with swag gifts and pinch hitting with cashy money for fees. Much appreciated! 

Thanks to our founder Jen Hilton for her contributions again this year. 

Thanks to the Alamo for all thier help as well. We will be back again next year and perhaps we can even do a Browncoat Christmas as well in 2024. It is my intention (circumstances allowing) to see CSTS Raleigh through til the 20 year anniversary of Serenity in 2025 is completed. Thanks again!! 

- Jim Shires 

“Ain't all buttons and charts, little albatross. Know what the first rule of flying is? Well I s'pose you do, since you already know what I'm 'bout to say.”

“I do. But I like to hear you say it.”

“Love. Can know all the math in the 'verse but take a boat in the air that you don't love? She'll shake you off just as sure as a turn in the worlds. Love keeps her in the air when she oughta fall down...tell you she's hurtin' 'fore she keens...makes her a home.”