Patricia Tallman and Be A Santa

[Jan]

For many years now, Pat Tallman has had a program to help give Christmas to severely abused teens at Penny Lane. These kids have been so severly physically and sexually abused that they can't be placed in regular foster care.

If you're able, please consider helping out at:

http://beasanta.org/

Thanks,
Jan

[Jan]

Pat's Admin posted a new pic, they're almost halfway to their goal of $8,000 for this year. https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...type=1&theater

Pat also posted this last night in case there's interest:

"We are trying to put together a live launch party for Be A Santa online on Tuesday evening at 5pm pacific time. How many would participate if we did? I know it's last minute but maybe it would be fun! Who would be there if we did. Online. 5pm . And then I'd archive it for other folks to see it. You can facebook or tweet questions comments and we have prizes. Any interest?"

I'll post any updates.

Jan

[Jan]

Taking a break banning spammers to pass along Pat's latest message. The goal is halfway met now (4,000.00 of the $8,000.00 goal). If anything embodies the B5 message of how one person can change the world, I'd say this is defintitely one.

Dear Friends,

I'm reaching out for the last stage of my fundraising for the Be A Santa program for the Penny Lane home for abused kids. Penny Lane is a remarkable place. It's often these 'at risk' kids last best hope for a decent life. The kids I work with have been so emotionally, sexually and physically abused they cannot be placed in regular foster care. We get kids from many states, mostly in the Western US, and SoCal of course. I work with 104 teenage boys and girl aged 12-18. The earlier we get them, the better and they have a much better chance to learn a moral compass, what it is to be loved and how to love, and to learn the life skills young adults need to hold a job and pay the bills. Most kids are turned out of the system at 18 , have to hit the streets, and most end up in very bad circumstances. Penny Lane is unique, having developed a transitional housing program that keeps the young people safe, teaches them skills, helps them find jobs and more. Some have children themselves, and Penny Lane helps with them too. ( Last year, I had a 13 year old with a 1 year old daughter. Her father was the dad.) Yeah, it's pretty bad. The stories are just so devastating. People shouldn't have to endure such things.

Yet, the kids are wonderful. They need to know there is a better life. Penny Lane does that. We have a GLBT program for the kids that need that support. I am very proud of Penny Lane for this ground breaking community.

Be A Santa gives each teen a bag full of stuff plus a gift card to the Westfield Mall, good for any store. Depending on how much money we raise, the cards are for $50-$100, divided equally per child. I get 'about me' pages from the kids and we personalize each bag to make the kids feel special and unique. Please go to the beasanta.org site for info on the bags.

I am asking for:

1) Donations to help with the holiday program. I need at least $4000 more dollars. I have raised just over $4000 right now. Please give what your heart says to give. Every dollar helps! ( Penny Lane is a 501(c) non profit) And it all goes to the kids.

2) Spreading the word! Please share this message through your email, and social media sites.

This is a very personal program. There are only a few of us that make this holiday happen for the kids each year. The list of donors is on the Angle page of the beasanta.org site. Most folks are from my sci fi and horror film community! Please join us!

Below are the links for more information and how to donate via credit card or check. All donations are tax deductible.

Thank you so much for helping me make the holidays bright for these amazing kids.

You are Angels for these kids!

All good things,

Pat Tallman

(Volunteer for Penny Lane for 23 years. Created the Be A Santa program 12 years ago.)

Donate by check or credit card:http://beasanta.org/

What we need: http://beasanta.org/?page_id=11

info on Penny Lane http://www.pennylane.org/

If you can, consider this effort for your contributions this holiday season.

Jan

[Jan]

(I don't have much cash but boy, have I got STUFF!)

BE A SANTA benefit auction! I've listed a rare Volume 15 of the Scripts of J. Michael Straczynski and ALL proceeds will go to benefit Patricial Tallman's Be A Santa program for Penny Lane. Bid high and bid often!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290821047831

Jan

[Ubik]

(I don't have much cash but buy, have I got STUFF!)

BE A SANTA benefit auction! I've listed a rare Volume 15 of the Scripts of J. Michael Straczynski and ALL proceeds will go to benefit Patricial Tallman's Be A Santa program for Penny Lane. Bid high and bid often!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290821047831

Jan

Noted Jan! I will bid if funds allow. Will do my best, it's a very good cause!

[Jan]

Noted Jan! I will bid if funds allow. Will do my best, it's a very good cause!

Thanks, Ubik! We've got our first bid now so at the very least, Penny Lane will be getting $75.00 for the kids.

And anybody reading this, even if you can't bid, it would be great if you helped spread the news to other fans.

Thanks!

Jan

[Jan]

Jenny reminded folks on FB about Pat talking about the joke script that's in Volume 15 at a convention earlier this year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERV7fk2QmkU

Pat says she wasn't in the script but there's actually a small scene between Lyta and the new G'Kar in the Tag of the script.

Jan

[DGTWoodward]

Pat is, like the rest of the cast, a great person. And a beautiful lady.

What? It's all true!

[Ubik]

Jenny reminded folks on FB about Pat talking about the joke script that's in Volume 15 at a convention earlier this year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERV7fk2QmkU

Pat says she wasn't in the script but there's actually a small scene between Lyta and the new G'Kar in the Tag of the script.

Jan

This is pretty hilarious! Love the way she delivers it.

[Jan]

This is exciting! Pat's in Facebook jail right now, but her intrepid Adim just posted:

We are only $850 away from our fundraising goal of $10,000 for Be a Santa! Thank you so much for your generosity, you are truly wonderful!

Yay! And my Volume 15 auction is going nicely. It's up to $127.50!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/290821047831?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1586.l2649

Woo-hoo!

Jan

[Jan]

The latest report on Facebook from Pat's Admin (Pat hasn't appeared yet since her unfair banishment) is that they're only about $100 from this year's goal. That's such great news! The more that's raised, the better and it's not just cash but presents for the kids. I noticed on the beasanta.org website that Dan Didio of DC comics sent a couple of cases of comics for the goodie bags.

The auction for the rare Volume 15 is going great, too! With only 1 day to go, bidding is up to $178.00!! This isn't even close to the highest I've ever seen one of these go for (also a benefit auction I did) so I'm hoping it'll keep going up until the last second.

Thanks for anything you've done to donate or spread the word!

Jan

[Jan]

And the winnign bid was for $202.50!! Woo-hoo!!! And almost immediately, Pat's Admin posted:

Admin) www.beasanta.org update: You are the most amazing group of people! Thanks to you and all of your generosity, Be A Santa is only $320 away from reaching $11,000 with nearly 2 more weeks left before the gifts get delivered!

You make a difference to the kids of Penny Lane and we appreciate each and every one of you.

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU! ù with Patricia Tallman.

Once again, individuals can and DO make a difference in the world.

Jan

[Jan]

Pat made her delivery to Penny Lane yesterday. Just found this on her page:

Patricia Tallman
4 minutes ago.A huge thank you from me for making this event happen for these wonderful kids. I just got this email from PL and I wanted to share it YOU because this would not happen without all of you opening your hearts and chipping in. They thank me, but they know it's all of you making it happen. Love to you all.- Pat

"Pat,
On behalf of our kids and staff, thank you. While the gifts are certainly appreciated its the fact that you make sure every year that our kids know they are not forgotten or invisible. You and your friends make them feel special, a feeling they don't usually (if ever) have. It means so much, Pat. Happy Holidays!
W"

Wendy Carpenter
Associate Executive Director
Penny Lane Centers

This year's list of donors was way longer than previous years. Thanks to everyone who may have donated or helped spread the word.

Jan