Connecting Humans:
other online fan groups using the internet
to engage in philanthropy
This information was published originally on July 5, 1999; some of the URLs are no longer functional. You can still find the information though -- simply type in the URL that isn't working into archive.org.
This information is taken from the organizations' Web site. This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it is a good sampling of the various Web sites out there. Also, not all of these groups are still active, but the Web sites provide a good record of past activities:
- Susan's La Femme Nikita Message Board
http://www.InsideTheWeb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi?acct=mb66652
Members of this online community raised $12,000 Canadian to benefit the Mira Foundation, which provides helper dogs to people with disabilities; the money represents one dog fully trained and ready to be assigned.
- Fans of Nicholas Lea - Focused on Making a Difference
http://www.nickleague.org/
During an interview in July 1998, actor Nicholas Lea of the "X-Files" said of his fans, "I just think sometimes that the focus is a little misplaced... I would love to see everybody here take a third of that energy and put it into their family or their community, or the people on the street who need our help." His fans did just that, creating "The Nick League" to organize fund raisers, on and offline, to support various charities. They are planning their first online auction for Summer 1999, and through e-mail requests to fans, have already raised more than $1500 for charity.
- Elvis Connection
http://home.navisoft.com/planet/elvis.html
Formed in 1993 with Graceland's approval. They are not a fan club, but an organization with a mandate to unite fans and raise money for charity. To date, nearly $7,000 has been donated to charity.
- STARFLEET International
http://www.sfi.org
Founded by Star Trek enthusiasts in 1974, chapters (Starships) of this group "offer opportunities to have fun while you serve your community. We recognize crew members who have done extra service or distinguished themselves in service to STARFLEET. In keeping with the problem-solving themes of Star Trek, our members do more than meet and talk about the show. The crews of the Fleet are active in support of charity. We believe that time is our most valuable gift, so we donate time to help persons and charitable organizations. We conduct fundraisers and volunteer our services to help our community." Charities which STARFLEET takes part in include the Overseas Coupon Project, Stampede, and the Hershey's Chocolate Project.
- Support Our Sentinel
http://world.std.com/~sentinel
Fans of the TV show "The Sentinel" have engaged in several philanthropic efforts, through online and off-line efforts. Most recently, the fan club for the star of the show, Richard Burgi, held an online auction that raised more than $6,000 for the National Audubon Society. Most of their many off-line philanthropy efforts have had an online component for outreach.
- PEACE - Adrian Paul Fan Club
http://members.aol.com/peaceapfc/
Dedicated to the PEACE (Protect Educate Aid Children Everywhere) Fund, joining corporate America and Hollywood to generate aid for children in need whether it be financial or educational. Founded in the Fall of 1998 by Adrian Paul, under the auspices of Athletes & Entertainers for Kids.
- Meat Loaf UK Fan Club
http://www.mlukfc.com
Holds fundraisers for the Cleft Lip & Palate Association, and use the Internet to coordinate and promote their philanthropic efforts. MLUKFC will be hold an online charity auction soon, with all proceeds again to CLAPA.
- International Fans of Shania Twain
http://www.shania.com/stfanwk.htm
Works to support the singer's favorite charities, including Second Harvest, Kids Cafes Fund, and Breakfast for Learning.
- Christian Bale Fan Club
http://www.christianbale.org/cbfc.htm
Proceeds from the fan club are directed towards Christian's charities which include: Greenpeace, The Redwing Sanctuary, the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, and the Happy Child Mission, a school for street children in Brazil.
- New York Rangers Fan Club
http://www.monmouth.com/~drogers/rangers/Team/nyr_club.html
They raise money to help with the fight against Leukemia, Cancer, child abuse, and other charities that the RFC supports.
- Mac Attack Pack!!! Cardinals Care
http://www.macattackpack.com/
This not-for-profit organization, formed in 1997, says it is "already one of the most successful fan clubs in the Major Leagues", with members in more than 40 states. "Cardinals Care" is an "expression of the St. Louis Cardinals' commitment to its Community. The focus of Cardinals Care is on "Team Play" and on "Giving Something Back" to the community that has supported the Cardinals through the years.
- Circle of Friends / Casey Biggs Fanclub/ AIDS
http://www.muohio.edu/~thomasrd/fomoh.html
This non-profit charity organization supports the philanthropic interests and professional
activities of actor Michael O'Hare. Charities supported include House of Ruth, a shelter for battered men, women, and children; Hale House, a facility caring for children with AIDS; Gay Men's Health Crisis Center, a center providing assistance to all AIDS victims; Foundation for Community Encouragement; the Sierra Club; Muscular Dystrophy Association; and the Motion Picture and Television Fund Foundation, a support agency for anyone in the industry in financial need
If you know of any online fan-based group that has used the Internet to engage in philanthropy, please contact me. I would like to revisit this topic as new information becomes available.
This page is a companion piece to Fan-Based Online Groups Use the Internet to Make a Difference
These resources were developed originally for The Virtual Volunteering Project and were written and compiled by Jayne Cravens, unless noted otherwise.
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