The banner began simply as a prop. Three Xenaversity members, Lizzy, Matt and Mr. Jamester, got together one afternoon and painted a purple sheet with the famous Xena symbol. The plan was to hang it from our cabana at a local sci-fi convention to attract attention to our room as a Xena party room. It worked very well, and we used it at several events after that for the same reason.

Then, an idea was formed. This was something a bit unusual, why not get it signed by a few of the stars we met at conventions? And so the banner was brought around the United States by different members to be signed by a handful of stars, 26 to be precise. Then, another idea was formed. Why not try to make the banner the most autographed item in fandom? The problem was just how to do this and what we were going to do with the banner once it was signed. The club as a whole decided to use any and all contacts we could find to get the banner signed, and that once it was signed we should auction it off for charity. Not only did we want to have actors and actresses, but we wanted cast and crew, anyone who had their hand in the making of Xena: Warrior Princess. We had autographs from the like already, Sharon Delaney and Robert Field.

With the help of some very kind people at Creation Entertainment, we were able to get the banner down to New Zealand and onto the Xena set during the final weeks of filming for the series. With the help of all the kind Xenites in the world, we plan to auction off the banner, giving all proceeds to local child abuse prevention charities here in Minnesota; take Lucy Lawless' personal cause to heart here at home. Please note that none of this would have been possible if not for the extreme kindness and hard work of Lori Malin and Sharon Delany of Creation Entertainment.

UPDATE: May 6th 2001 - Acquired 191 autographs total
Gary auctioned off the banner from the stage and it sold for $13,000
We donated the money to two local charities here in Minnesota

See the letter below that was sent along with the banner to New Zealand to get signed!

Letter Sent Along With Banner to New Zealand

To the Producers, Writers, Directors, Actors, Composer, Musicians, Costumers, Prop-makers, Set Designers, Set Decorators, Editors, Special Effects Department, Lighting Crew, Camera Crew, Sound Crew, Stunt Personnel, Choreographers, Animal Trainers, Casting, Office Personnel (and Tilly, too)[1],
We, Xenaversity of Minnesota[2], have a wonderful opportunity to do a Greater Good for our community. You see before you a giant purple Chakram banner[3]. With your help, we would like it to become the most thoroughly autographed item in Xena fandom. We ask that all you lovely people[4] please sign it with your name and department or position. The banner and an accompanying scrapbook documenting the authenticity of the signatures in pictures, is to be auctioned off with proceeds going to charity organizations in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul) metropolitan area.

In light of Lucy Lawless making child abuse prevention a focus to help children in New Zealand, we are dedicating the proceeds to two organizations[5] that help children in the Twin Cities. The first is the Family Support Network, which supports “positive parenting, healthy families, and homes where children are valued and loved” – seen at www.familysupport.org. The other is People Serving People, they have three shelters the Minneapolis Public Schools K-12th grade students in need – seen at www.peopleservingpeople.org.
We have yet to decide on a method of auction. We are looking into internet auction sites (Yahoo, Amazon.com, e-bay) and are considering auctioning it off at the May convention in Pasadena. We wish the auction to be fair and available to all in fandom.

This is a project close to our hearts. We appreciate your time and consideration on our behalf. We are sending several disposable cameras and ask that a few pictures be taken during the signing of the banner if possible. Ride On! Xenaversity of Minnesota

[1] Disclaimer: No slight was intended in anyone being accidentally overlooked in our opening salutation. Please feel free to autograph the banner in a bold manner to prevent such a situation from happening again. (The preventing of end credits being squashed and quickly scrolled is well out of our hands.)

[2] Re: Xenaversity of Minnesota: We are a Xena: Warrior Princess fan club based in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. We have over 200 members internationally. Our Greater Good Projects in the past year have included cleaning a stretch of local highway, volunteering time at community events, donating food to local food shelves, collecting warm winter wear for distribution throughout the winter and sponsoring a family in need during the holiday season. Currently we are working on making home made blankets to donate to sick children as part of the “Linus” project. Visit us at www.Xenaversity.com

[3] Re: the banner: Separated from its other half (a pert purple fitted bottom) during a K-Mart White Sale (Martha Stewart aisle), this purple flat sheet is proud to wear a custom designed chakram. It has many guest signatures (most documented by photographs) obtained through dedicated convention attending. It has its own page on our website.

[4] past, present, and (sniff) no future

[5] both organizations are enthusiastic about X:WP the show and our project