The Charity

Twenty-five years ago we began hearing about Below, and as that first season unfolded, we met Helpers. Who were they? What impact did those people Above have on those creating and maintaining a community Below?

As we learned, they gave of themselves, of what they had, to help others. Father told young Eric that it was a two-way street, that we must give help where needed and accept help when we need it ourselves. And our fandom, from its earliest years, took that lesson to heart. As part of our celebrations we include giving - whether fans give time by walking to raise money for a charity on a B&B team, or whether we donate memorabilia to auction at our fan-run conventions, or whether we contribute funds during WFOL for a selected charity which will be donated in the name of the fandom - by our actions we give help to those who need.

Over the years, the generosity of our fans has resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in donations to charities, funds that might not otherwise have been received by them had this one special television show not inspired its devoted fans to reach deeper, to give a little more.

That's the power of Beauty and the Beast. The fandom - its love for this show - is not selfish. Because of everything it has given us, we reach out to others... as we would to those Below. We are Helpers in the truest sense of the word. Father would be proud.