These fans "work to better the lives of people in their own communities through donations and volunteerism." In 1998, various chapters of the group raised almost $40,000 for the Rainforest Preservation Foundation, the Arizona AIDS Walk, the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County, the International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (USA), Invest In Kids Foundation (Canada), Working Wardrobes for a New Start, Gilda's Club Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, and Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, among MANY others. To date, Sword and Staff activities have resulted in more than $91,000 being donated to charitable organizations around the world, and many more online and offline philanthropic activities are planned for the rest of 1999.

Debbie Cassetta, President of Sword and Staff, says profits from local fan festivals are also donated to charities. "They keep us informed of their activities, and supply us with copies of acknowledgment letters from the charities they support. "

"We also use the Internet to request that fans send donations of items that we will use in charity auctions. Without the type of access to fans that the Internet provides, most of what we do would be impossible. It's always a pleasant surprise to open the mail and find autographed items that fans generously contribute. Our auctions are possible because cast, fans and fan clubs donate merchandise to Sword and Staff. I am currently conducting approximately 12 online auctions a year, and each auction has between 15 and 40 items. Each of those items is donated by someone in the 'Xenaverse.'"

Cassetta says fans take up charitable activities based on their own interest and availability. "One summer, a fan from Denver took it upon herself to organize a fund drive in her home city to raise money to help financially disadvantaged families buy school supplies for their children. Last September, 21 Sword and Staff members worked to clean up a 2-1/2 mile stretch of shoreline in Queens, New York as part of the International Coastal Cleanup. Another Sword and Staff member volunteers her time the 'turtle patrol' which helps to assure that newly hatched turtles make it to the ocean so they have a chance at survival. The Dutch fans are donating money to support an injured seal. The fans in Great Britain have adopted two children's hospitals, and direct their charitable activities to supporting them. "

Cassetta volunteers to handle all administrative business for Sword and Staff, as well as maintain its web site and conduct the auctions (which are done via e-mail). There are six international liaisons who work with her and coordinate events in their own countries. They are from the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand (2) and Great Britain (2).

The individual international liaisons will coordinate fan activity around a charitable event. They'll select the charity to benefit, making sure that it is a legitimate entity. They will then work to organize the event (usually a fest, auction, or raffle) and then assure that the checks get to the appropriate charity.

"Individual fans have arranged for specific auctions or other events. One recent one was an audio fan fiction auction to benefit the Rainforest Preservation Foundation that raised approximately $4,600. The time, tapes, and voice of a fan, combined with the writing talent of the Xenaverse 'bards' made that possible. One of the amazing things about Xena fandom is the talent of it's 'bards', writers who produce quality fan fiction that has taken hold of the imagination of fans like nothing I've seen in the past. A recent call for donations of stories by these bards, met with a great response, and the resulting auction raised nearly $5,000 to help combat child abuse."

Sword and Staff was started in May of 1997, shortly after the first New York City Xenafest. "The NYC Fest Committee raised $4,500 for charity. We intended to donate it to a NYC-based charity that states it mission as providing care for abandoned children afflicted with AIDS. When I approached the charity representative, I was told in no uncertain terms that they would not accept our money. Thinking they misunderstood what I was saying, I stated plainly, 'I don't think you understand. I want to donate money to your organization.' The response I received was, 'You don't understand me. We don't want your money.' He didn't want to be associated with a bunch of 'Amazons'."

"I found that by using the Internet to discuss the rejection of the donation and the often negative image that XWP fans had, I was able to channel fan energy, as well as my own, to positive pursuits. The result of that is that in two years S&S has evolved into a very positive organization. It has and continues to help a growing number of worthwhile charities, and in the process has given fans bound by a common set of ideals a focus for their energies. We took a bad situation (refusal of a donation) and turned it into a very positive force in the Xenaverse and the world at large. The generosity of Xena fans is unparalleled in my experience. It's a pleasure to be associated with them."

When asked what would be the one or two most important pieces of advice she would offer to someone who wanted to organize a group like hers, Cassetta replied, "Visit a psychiatrist and stock up on Zantac or Rolaids. (grin). Seriously, my advice would be to love what you're doing. Know also that it will consume a large portion of your free time, so be aware of your other life commitments before you take on such an activity. It takes a lot of organizing and patience, and often an inordinate amount of time. There will always be someone who thinks they can do it better, so be prepared for some negative criticism. It comes with the territory. Keep your goals in mind, be open to suggestions and constructive criticism, accept help when you need it, but don't let someone else's agenda distract you from your organization's goals. And finally, if you're doing this for recognition for yourself or as a means to be recognized by someone else, then find something else to get involved in. This is not what this is about.

There are approximately 70 Local Barry Manilow Fan Clubs around the world recognized and sanctioned by the official Barry Manilow International Fan Club (BMIFC). One of the primary guidelines imposed by the BMIFC is that each local club conduct one or more charity events a year to raise money for the organization of their choice, and promote awareness for what the charity does. "The BarryNet is used to help promote activities and events sponsored by the BMIFC and local fan clubs," says BarryNet Webmaster Gary Oye. Many individual chapters also use the Internet to sign up volunteers for events, and to keep members up-to-date on volunteer orientations and news.

28 local Barry Manilow fan clubs (there are more than 70 total) and their charitable activities are listed on BarryNet, with additional information about their volunteer and fund-raising activities on individual club Web sites. These chapters raise thousands of dollars each year, and donate a great deal of time to various nonprofit organizations. Some of the charities who have benefitted from these fans' activities: Walk for Hunger, Make a Wish Foundation, National Music Foundation, Toys for Tots, Ronald McDonald House, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, World Wildlife Fund and Children's Miracle Network.

"The fans who participate in the activities do so through the inspiration of Barry's music, i.e., they give to others what Barry gives to them," says Oye. "It is an amazing phenomenon. Certainly one that most people don't associate with Barry Manilow."

 
Other Online Fan Groups Using the Internet to Engage in Philanthropy
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