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Fan convention for Vancouver-produced TV show “Sanctuary” raises $90,500 for charitable foundation Sanctuary for Kids
Executive Producers Amanda Tapping, Damian Kindler and Martin Wood challenge all Vancouver-shot television series to join them in supporting charities
Vancouver, BC – The charitable foundation Sanctuary for Kids, co-founded by Vancouver-TV Actor / Executive Producer Amanda Tapping, was presented with $90,500 Sunday night – all raised by fans of the television series Sanctuary during a 3-day fan convention in Vancouver. Convention goers came from around the globe to attend the first-ever official Sanctuary event, organized by Legends Memorabilia and Gabit Events.
At a time when the film and TV industry in BC has been slower than usual, Sanctuary, which has been a stable production in Vancouver for three seasons, is giving back to the community. The entire cast of the show, as well as crew, donated their time for the 3-day convention, doing Q+A’s, signing autographs, posing for photos and helping sell merchandise. Actor Ryan Robbins and Executive Producer Damian Kindler pulled out their guitars and gave fans an impromptu concert, and they all participated in the live auction Saturday night, thrilling fans with items such as show props, costumes, an official director’s marked script, and a makeover by the show’s make-up artists among many other items. Furious bidding induced “extras” like a kiss from one of the actors, or the actual shirt off the director’s back, much to the delight of the audience.
“In my mind, I hoped we could raise about $25,000 over the course of the convention,” commented Tapping, Lead Actor and Executive Producer, Sanctuary. “After the first night, we were already at $10,000 and the auction raised $33,000 alone. It was awe inspiring. Having attended conventions and auctions in the past, I have seen the incredible power of fandom firsthand. A small group of dedicated fans with their grace and generosity reaffirmed my faith and respect. I knew fans were amazing, but this completely blew me away!”
At Comic-Con in San Diego last week, Tapping, along with Sanctuary Creator and Executive Producer Damian Kindler, issued a challenge to all television series to attach themselves to a charity. “We recognize that in the television industry, we have influence. We have a responsibility to use that in a positive way. It’s absolutely essential,” said Kindler. “We don’t want to be alone in this. We want it to be the norm that every TV show has a charity or supports one. Our cast and crew have been incredible in supporting Sanctuary for Kids. They are even doing their own fundraising initiatives and we’re so proud to work with them.”
Tapping began Sanctuary for Kids (S4K) last November to harness the tremendous and supportive sci-fi fan community and aid children in crisis both locally and abroad. Since its inception last November, S4K has now raised over $174,000, exceeding their initial year one goal in just eight months.
“We are humbled by the response to Sanctuary for Kids,” explains S4K Co-Founder Jill Bodie. “The money raised so far is supporting the Nepal Orphans Home and our donations to date have allowed them to open Gumba House (which means “Sanctuary”) and reunite seven sets of sisters who had been sold by their parents due to poverty. We are committed to raising $100,000 for them over three years to build the first residence of a campus for the youth,” continues Bodie, “and we have already contributed the first installment towards this capital fund.” Sanctuary for Kids is also supporting programs with the Vancouver charity Watari, aiding homeless young mothers find safe housing and help them find stability in work. They were also able to send emergency funding to Haiti within a week of the earthquake earlier this year.
Throughout the year, Sanctuary for Kids hosts three online auctions selling “priceless” items as well as meet-and-greet opportunities with Sanctuary actors and producers. The first auction saw a behind the scenes set tour and lunch with Amanda Tapping, a personal Skype chat with actor Robin Dunne and the Executive Producers as well as the opportunity to name a new character during season three of the series.
Sanctuary for Kids was founded by Amanda Tapping (Lead Actor and Executive Producer, Sanctuary), Jill Bodie (B.ED., M.S.W.) and Damian Kindler (Executive Producer and Creator, Sanctuary). Bodie is donating all of her time and resource costs as administrator for the foundation and Tapping and Kindler are personally covering all administrative and start-up costs, enabling 100% of the funds raised to go to the children’s charities. Beedie Entertainment Group, the studio for Sanctuary, is offering its full support of the charitable efforts, making props and official show items available for auction.
Sanctuary, a fully Canadian series, is broadcast in over 180 countries and can be seen in the US on Syfy and in Canada on CTV’s SPACE. Currently, the series is shooting its third season in Vancouver. With a visual style that recalls graphic novels and comic book action in a rich texture of visual effects, Sanctuary sparks the imagination of viewers looking to escape into the seemingly impossible.
The award-winning series Sanctuary began as a webisode series and is the first show to receive a full season television order on broadcast television. As such, they have pioneered the way for more web-based shows and have blazed a trail across the television landscape by shooting predominantly on green screen and employing a staggering number of visual effects.
For more information on Sanctuary for Kids and upcoming auctions, please visit www.sanctuaryforkids.org.
Congrats to Amanda and everyone involved – that’s impressive!
I really like the idea of every show having it’s own charity. Take people’s passion for a show and use it in a productive way. Plus it would alleviate the reputation fandom sometimes gets for being too wrapped up in it’s own fantasy world.
What charity do you think would be best for Stargate and it’s fans?
I think a charity that supports the military would be good for Stargate. And I’m not just saying that because I support Cell Phones for Soldiers–there are also a ton of other great charities out there doing what they can for soldiers serving or who have served overseas. This site has a great list.