2014 - Shiny Charity Auction

Heartbleed Update: April 4, 2014 The payment processor for this auction, which ends at the end of the month, is PayPal. To date, PayPal has indicated that they are not impacted by the vulnerability. However, it's never a bad idea to routinely change passwords and to use different passwords on different sites.

Once upon a time, a fabulously amazing individual (you may know him as John Barrowman), suggested we branch out in our fundraising activities to share our donated goodies with the rest of the world. Not one to argue with a great idea, especially when it comes with donated auction items, we're launching our first annual on-line charity auction.

The proceeds of this auction will be split between Edmonton’s Youth Empowerment and Support Services (a shelter & support program for homeless teens), Kids Need to Read (a US-based children's literacy charity), Equality Now (an international women’s advocacy organization), and the Comic Legends Legal Defense Fund.

Our goal is to raise $5,000 USD to be split between these wonderful organizations.

The items appearing in the auction will change as the month progresses. Each auction item should appear on the site for a minimum of 7 days. Check back often to see what special items are being featured.

We welcome bids from all over the world.

We would like to extend a special thanks to our auction donors:
* John Barrowman
* Nathan Fillion
* South Eastern Browncoats
* Firefly Cargo Bay
* Sew Geek Austin
* Happy Harbor Comics
* Jewel Staite
* Wil Wheaton
* Adam Baldwin
* James Marsters
* Clinton Ouderkirk
* Natalie Dempsey
* McCormack Family
* Semper Family
* Fiona Staples
* Vic Malhotra
* Sandeep Parihk, Tony Janning & Felicia Day
* California Browncoats

Their generosity and support has been amazing. Each donor has been identified on the individual auction listings.

-- PICKUP/SHIPPING --
Auction winners will be liable for all shipping charges for their items.

Items are being shipped from Canada. Available shipping options include Canada Post, FedEx, UPS.

When an auction has concluded, we will contact the winning bidder to arrange for shipping of the item. The winner will determine shipping preferences (company, speed of delivery, insurance value) based on available options. Winner will be expected to pay the shipping fees based on their selection prior to the items being shipped.

Buyers located in Edmonton, AB and surrounding areas may arrange for local pickup of any items they win without charge.

The Alberta Browncoats Society is a registered non-profit society (#5015011389) formed in Edmonton, AB in late 2009. Since hosting our first charity event in June of 2010, we have raised over $30,000 CAD for our charity partners. We support women's and children's charities, along with those that strive to provide equality, around the world.

"Browncoat" is a term lovingly applied to fans of the short-lived television series "Firefly". The name is based on a nickname for the Independent Faction from the series. As Browncoats, we are dedicated to doing good in unexpected ways while raising funds for Equality Now, Edmonton's Youth Empowerment & Support Services, Kids Need to Read and other equality based organizations.

While the Alberta Browncoats is a not-for-profit society it is not currently a registered charity in Alberta or the rest of Canada. As such we cannot issue charitable tax receipts.