Fiddler’s Green Sets CBLDF Fundraising Record!

Last weekend just over 300 Sandman fans made Fiddler’s Green the most successful fundraising event in CBLDF history. In three days the limited membership show devoted to Sandman and featuring several of its creators as guests of honor raised an early estimate of what will be $45,000 for the CBLDF.

“This was an extraordinary event,” exclaimed CBLDF Director Charles Brownstein. “Davey Snyder and the Fiddler’s Green committee did an extraordinary job creating a show filled with great panels staffed by excellent guests, but more than that they created an atmosphere of community unparalleled by most any other convention. The generosity of that community has shored up the Fund’s resources, providing us with a substantial addition to our war chest at this very critical time for free speech.”

Neil Gaiman says, “This one was special, and not just because of the money that it raised for the CBLDF war chest. I was thrilled that Sandman was able to bring together such an amazing bunch of con attendees, guests and panelists, and delightedly astonished by how much they cared about freedom of speech and the right to read comics. I keep saying a heartfelt and amazed 'thank you' to the people who came to the convention (and 'you had to be there' to the ones who didn't make it). The enthusiasm at the auction was amazing, the energy and happiness of the committee and the attendees was unique.”

Run unlike any other comics convention, Fiddler’s Green gathered guests of honor Neil Gaiman, Karen Berger, Charles Vess, Jill Thompson, Caitlin Kiernan, and Todd Klein for a full weekend of discussion and celebration of the groundbreaking Sandman graphic novel series. High points included a panel where a new 2-page Sandman story was created, spotlights on each of the individual creators, screenings of upcoming Neil Gaiman projects, and the Saturday night auction, emceed by Gaiman, which on its own raised over $37,000.

Fiddler’s Green Director Davey Snyder says, “We're delighted by the auction results, and also pleased to note that Fiddler's Green will show an operating profit and make its own donation to the Fund after the books are closed later this year. We’re also thrilled that one-third of the convention's members also became new CBLDF members. That's the kind of support we hoped to provide.”

Snyder adds, “The committee achieved an exceptional level of teamwork, especially considering that we're spread across all of the US and three other countries on two continents. We also had a wonderful response to calls for volunteers to help both before and at the convention. Sandman fans really are a community. People made extraordinary contributions of time and effort to support Fiddler's Green and the CBLDF.”

“Incredible is an understatement for what the Fiddler's Green community accomplished,” CBLDF President Chris Staros explains. “It is a testament to the profound effect that Neil Gaiman, The Sandman, and its fans have had on our industry. Their enthusiasm for one of this medium's most important creative works and passionate belief in the importance of the First Amendment, has afforded the Fund an even greater ability to stand strong in this turbulent time. We owe everyone who participated in the show a tremendous debt of gratitude."