As Rich stated, turnout was very light this year & we can't help but wonder if we missed something. In the past we had folks who were not part of the regular group join us for the auction & screening. It had been increasing difficult to find a venue. Getting confirmation at such sort notice this year decreased our chances of advertising.
We did have some very Shiny objects for our auction. Hand made soaps in the shape of Serenity packaged nicely in a box signed by Nathan & Alan!!!!! That was our biggest money maker. Second was a dinosaur bank signed by Alan. Having items signed by the cast always helps to bring in more money. I wish there was a way to get something from them every year through CSTS, instead of us trying to get them at cons & the like. It's getting more & more difficult to ask them.
We used the Square credit card reader at Philly Wizard World & at our CSTS, which was a great help.
I am already scoping out new venues to try for next year & every time I go shopping, I'm on the look out for that perfect Browncoat item
Hope this helped. Even if you have a BBQ in the backyard, having an event & getting "coats together for such a worthy cause is worth all the effort.
See you in the Verse,
Leslie Maynard
Browncoats of NYC