VCON is a volunteer organized convention. As such, it runs entirely on the love, support, and generosity of ordinary people just like you. Without the support of our many members the convention wouldn't go very far and so we are always looking for people who want to help out in one way or another - by volunteering their time, by bestowing their money, and, sometimes, by giving us their stuff!
VCON needs things to use as prizes, as gifts, and as items in our silent charity auction. One way you can add your own pinch of spice to the awesome stew that is VCON is to consider donating one or more material items to the cause. Donating an item can be a far more personal action than donating money, especially when you can have a direct say in what your gift will be used for.If you are interested in sponsoring VCON with a financial donation,
please visit our Sponsor Page
Sections:
Why Give Us Your Stuff | What Stuff to Give Us | Where Your Stuff Goes | When to Give Us Stuff | Where to Send Your Stuff
Why Give Us Stuff
It’s a chance to share the love. VCON is, above all, a cooperative of people helping each other out for the mutual enjoyment of the imagination’s potential. Giving cash often seems impersonal, or like it’s getting sent off into the anonymous aether. Giving time (which is also badly needed–see our Volunteer page!) often requires a proximity or availability that isn’t practical for everyone. This is the place for you to contribute something personal and tangible, that will be incorporated into the event itself or passed onto a fellow fan to be taken home and enjoyed.
And of course, a public (and highly visible) kudos will be given to you or your business if you’re especially generous!What Stuff to Give Us
Your imagination is the only limit. Gifts, games, art, movies, books…if you think it’s worthy then we can probably find a use for it.
Handcrafted items and artwork add that extra touch of character, if you’re feeling inspired and your proclivity edges more towards the hands-on. Items to enchant or entertain like books, video games, board games, and art supplies, even gift certificates and cards are all wonderful as well. Please keep in mind however that these are being given as gifts and prizes to VCON members, so nothing damaged or offensive, please.
Feel free to check out this year’s Programming for ideas on what to send and where your donation might go to. And don’t forget that our theme this year is Visions of the Future! Your donation doesn’t necessarily have to have anything to do with the theme, but thinking about it might give you an excellent place to start.
Where Your Stuff Goes
Donations go to any and every aspect of VCON that needs a physical component, as appropriate. We use donated items for the Silent Charity Auction (with 50% of the proceeds going to Aunt Leah’s Youth Charity), for Swag Bags as gifts to the hardest-working volunteers, and even as prizes for game tournaments, the Cosplay Masquerade, you name it.
No, really. You can name it. You can have as little or as much say in what we use your items for as you want. This means that if you are set on your beautiful mosaic of the Vancouver cityscape going to the Silent Auction, then you can say so. If you don’t care where it goes as long as it doesn’t just become a random door prize, that’s fine too. Just let us know, either by including a note specifying your wishes with a mailed-in donation, or by mentioning it in your email communication with us when you’re arranging the donation.
When to Give Us Stuff
Donations will be accepted anytime, but the sooner we receuve then the better!!!! We can accept donations during the convention, but because these donations are for events that are being planned now, it would be ideal if we received everything before the actual events get into full swing. That way, there’s less last-minute scrambling and we have a concrete idea of what we have and where we can allocate it when the weekend begins.
Where to Send Your Stuff
There are two ways to donate your swag. You can either send stuff directly to our mailing address below, or you can contact us beforehand and we can arrange to have it picked up or dropped off.
If you want to mail it to us directly, please send your item to our PO box:
ATTN: Donations
Box 78069, Grandview RPO
Vancouver, BC V5N 5W1
Canada
…and don’t forget to include a note specifying if there’s a particular aspect of the convention you’d like your donation to go towards!
You can also email VCON from our Donations Query Contact page to discuss your donation and arrange to have it picked up or dropped off sometime before the event. This “before the event” detail is important: while we accept donations throughout the weekend, earlier is definitely better for planning purposes!