NEWSLETTER

I think my favorite thing about being Captain of the Terminus is how often I am delightfully surprised. And every inch of that comes from my wonderful crew.

Since taking over, I've seen new friends become dear ones, watched the spark of ideas blossom into full reality, and every month I am nearly overwhelmed at the generous spirits that the crew of this ship demonstrates.

So I guess I shouldn't have been so surprised by what happened in April.

April was the charity month for Starfleet Command, and my first charity event as acting captain of the Terminus. So, I went in with modest goals: Get out there. Pick up some garbage in your community. If you're going to be at the Stellar Fest convention, maybe toss a few dollars to their charities.

I had planned to use this year as a starting ground. A place to build ambitions and grow. As I like the opportunity that SFC provides to the fleet with its charity directive, I know that crawling before walking is better and thought we could start small.

Tell that to the Terminus crew, who apparently take after Tony Stark.

"Sometimes you gotta run before you can walk."

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Even before the convention started, my partner and XO, Jessica Lewis, and I were fortunate enough to receive some gorgeous space-themed art from a friend. After discussion, the artist was up for donating it to Stellar Fest's charity of the year: Habitat for Humanity. Several items were part of the auction, but a local artist two-piece stellar sky stood out.

And sold for $100. Which added to the over $700 the convention raised this year for Habitat for Humanity. That number was further bolstered by the Ensigns Elaine and Matt Sweatman, and Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Elizabeth Corbet, each bidding in the auction on goods for the charity. Adding to the net good in the world. Not bad for a little sci-fi convention.

Not that Terminus stayed little either. Oh no. On top of what I donated as Captain, the Sweatmans also contributed to the Georgia Reptile Society, a local non-profit committed to educating the public on reptiles, their care and maintenance, as well as their place in nature at large.

In addition to financial aid, the crew donated time and energy to the convention itself to help make it a success. Many of us hosted panels and engaged folks regarding Starfleet Command, but LTJG Corbet ran the Cosmic Coffee Lounge, ensuring convention goers had a quiet space, and a beverage to enjoy during their time that weekend. Chief Engineer Whitehead helped set up the slideshow for the Lounge, adding to the ambiance. Lieutenant Junior Grade Gilbert Conrad also volunteered with Con Ops, ensuring the convention ran smoothly and provided a wonderful experience for the attendees.

And that was just in Atlanta.

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Down in Florida, Lieutenant Junior Grade Terri Wells was really showing Starfleet values mixed with Terminus's Ship of Makers status when she knitted and crocheted five potholders for Esther a Single Mother's Outreach group. Which may sound like such a small thing, a potholder, but it's such a needed thing when people can use a little kindness in a tough situation.

I am immensely proud of this crew and what they've done for their communities. They didn't just pick up a bit of garbage. They made weekends better, they made lives easier, they offered aid to creatures who could no more say thank you than they could pilot a star ship. They stepped up and showed that the Terminus's passions aren't just in creation, it's in outreach too.

Usually the Terminus is a Ship of Makers, but during April's Month of Do Something challenge from the Admiralty, they were a Ship of Kindness. With open hearts and willing hands, they demonstrated Starfleet values and reached out where people needed it.

A delightful surprise, and one that couldn't make me more proud of my crew.

I can't wait to see what they surprise me with next year.