UNCASVILLE, CONN. - When members of the U.S.S. Charter Oak, an Independent Star Trek Fan Association located in Connecticut, set up their booth at this month’s TerrifiCon Convention at Mohegan Sun’s Expo Center; they knew they were going to interact with a lot of fans from each of the different series in the franchise. They also knew that they would be ending their weekend with money raised for their charity, the Connecticut Humane Society.
For three days, the team of Trek fans interacted with patrons of the comic convention that has been taking place at the casino since 2015, working to recruit new members to the group that celebrates Star Trek creator, Gene Roddenberry’s, vision of a better tomorrow for everyone, while also raising money for both their organization and their charity.
“Anything pet related that we’re selling,” Captain Ryan O’Connor told passers-by, “the proceeds go to the Connecticut Humane Society.”
And sell they did! Between their specific pet-themed merchandise including magnetic pins, both small and large Tribbles, and even a Star Trek book where the original series characters are reimagined as cats, as well as their daily auction of dog goods and their silent auction of a signed script to the motion picture, Star Trek III: The Search For Spock signed by actors of the movie Robin Curtis (Saavik) and Vaj Potenza (13-year-old Spock), the crew of the U.S.S. Charter Oak raised $505.49 for the charity that has been helping take care of Connecticut’s animals since 1881.
“We’ve talked with a lot of people,” Lt. Commander Jason Marks Sr said in one of the video posts on the organization’s Facebook page. “We have these Tribbles from the series. They’re $36, and they even make noise!”
The Tribbles were a very popular item at the Charter Oak booth, as was one other item.
“In the United Federation of Planets, there is no money,” Captain O’Connor said. “But the Ferengi do still use currency! So, we’re offering fans of Star Trek the opportunity to exchange their American Dollars for Gold Pressed Latinum!”
With the help of Star Trek: Picard actor, Stephanie Czajkowski, one member of the U.S.S. Charter Oak was promoted in absentia to the rank of Lieutenant during the first day's events at TerrifiCon.
The money raised by the members of the U.S.S. Charter Oak is part of a continued partnership with the Connecticut Humane Society. The U.S.S. Charter Oak has been organizing fundraisers to benefit the Humane Society since 2022, when their fan group was founded. Star Trek is the property of CBS and Paramount Pictures. To learn more about the U.S.S. Charter Oak, and its charitable givings, go to their website: www.usscharteroak.org.