A few weeks ago, we introduced you to the Co-Chairs of SkålCon, Andrew Christian & Jon Dehning. I wanted to take the opportunity to to report the resultsd—it shows just how much good we as a Society can do when we put our mind's to it! In Jon's words:
The Minneapolis/St. Paul Pathfinder Lodge held the inaugural SkålCon convention September 18-20. This convention, previously featured in the Paizo blog, had all proceeds donated to Tubman, Minnesota's largest provider of crisis services. By any and all measures, our convention was a success.Over 80 people came together as a community to play some Pathfinder and raise more funds for Tubman than I ever thought we would. Going into September I thought, "If we can raise $1500 I'm going to be really happy." We smashed $1500 by 6:20 PM Friday night! At 8:30 PM we surpassed our goal of $2000. When I made the announcement to the room that we had made our goal and that I would be getting a shave and a haircut, Chris Mortika, unprompted, called out "How much more do we need to raise to get Andy [Christian] to shave his head?" Andy set our next goal; we needed to raise $3500.
In the end, we raised $3735 for Tubman. It is a testament to our players' generosity and kindness. As Andy remarked to me Saturday night, "This makes all the hard work and [everything else] of the past six years worth it." I couldn't agree more.
I had an opportunity to tour one of Tubman's transitional housing centers in Minneapolis when I stopped by to make our donation. Knowing our efforts are going to those in need was very heartening. Meeting the staff that do all the hard work and make people's lives better was an added perk. Being able to say "Thank you" to them while I was there, while not much of a thing, was still gratifying; especially when their eyes lit up when it was explained who I was and why I was there. Our plan is to continue working with Tubman next year and into the foreseeable future.
Minnesota Venture Captains Jon Dehning and Andy Christian before and after the charity shave.Thank you, Pathfinder community, for supporting our convention. To the volunteers and organizers whom kept the convention running with no emergencies. Without their hard work, dedication SkålCon would not exist. Thank you to everyone who donated items to our silent auction. Thanks to everyone we chased down during PaizoCon to collect signatures for auction items. Thank you to Clinton Boomer who volunteered his time to run three sessions of the retired scenario "Hands of the Muted God", and to John Compton for allowing us to offer this scenario for credit. Clinton will be back next year, so if you want to maybe play a retired scenario for credit...
Running a convention for charity is hard work, but a rewarding community experience. If you feel like starting one in your area, know that you have our support. I am more than happy to help in any way I can.
Thank you. Thank you so very much!
Jon Dehning
Venture Captain—Minneapolis, MN
My thanks to members of the Pathfinder Society for their generosity and support. I know we have other conventions worldwide that support charitable causes and extend my thanks to them as well.
Until next week: Explore, Report, Cooperate!
Tonya Woldridge
Organized Play Coordinator