'True Blood' Battle of the Fang: Team Eric Vs. Team Bill Charity Contest

True Blood, HBO's hit TV show based on "Southern Vampire Chronicles" by Charlaine Harris, is now the subject of a contest for charity. On June 13, 2010, the "Battle of the Fang" charity contest was announced, which puts the Team Eric (Alexander Skarsgård) versus Team Bill (Stephen Moyer) fan argument to the test. This is a fantastic way for fans of True Blood and the two vampire characters to raise money for charity while proving that his or her beloved vampy is the best -- this is one fan that cannot wait to put her money where her mouth is and show everyone just how much support "Team Eric" really has!

According to the "Battle of the Fang" website: "Stephen Moyer and Alexander Skarsgård have both agreed to wear a T-shirt designed by the winning actor and their team - and be photographed wearing it!" The actors, who are friends off-set, each selected a Charity close to his heart to be the official charity for his "team" for the duration of the contest. The team which raises the most money wins the battle, which will run for the duration of True Blood season 3 (June 13 - September 5, 2010). Information about where and how to donate is available on the "Battle of the Fang" website.

The website will announce the winning vampire on the Monday after the finale; at that time, there will be a drawing for the "winning fan" of each team. Every $5 donation made to the respective charities for both teams counts as a raffle ticket, with the grand prize being the T-Shirt worn, signed by both men and photographed on the back of the "loser" vampire. Both Moyer and Skarsgård have agreed to be photographed wearing the T-Shirt designed by the winning team, with whatever naughty slogan the True Blood fans design! If the lure of doing good for charity wasn't enough, the draw of owning something worn by one of these incredible actors makes the contest irresistible.

Stephen Moyer (Team Bill) selected the Gulf Relief Foundation, an organization raising money for families in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast after the BP oil spill. According to the "Battle of the Fang" charity contest website, "The mission of the Gulf Relief Foundation is to provide relief to the fishing community of the Gulf Coast and their families, and to address the long-term challenge of restoring and protecting America's Coast wetlands."

Alexander Skarsgård (Team Eric) selected SOS Children's Villages, an organization dedicated to helping children displaced from their biological families. "At SOS Children's Villages and SOS Youth Facilities they experience reliable relationships and love once again, meaning that they can recover from what they have experienced, which has often been traumatic. They grow up in a stable family environment, and are supported individually until they become independent young adults." The Swedish branch of SOS (Alexander's native country) will benefit from donations in "Eric's" name; to find out more about this charity, click here.

As an avid fan of both HBO's True Blood and the "Sookie Stackhouse" novels which the series is based upon, I am thrilled to see the enduring "Team Eric vs. Team Bill" battle finally put to such phenomenal use. If only more organizations would capitalize on the popularity of a hit TV show, book series or movie franchise - especially with the endorsement of the generous actors who play the opposing characters - think of all the good that could come from it. In the words of the "Battle of the Fangs" team: "TOGETHER...HOW CAN WE NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE???"

Sources:
Alexander Skarsgard Fansite, "BATTLE OF THE FANG ~ Charity Contest"