What would you pay to have lunch with the cast of The Office? That’s what the creator of the Office Fans Christmas Fund is asking.

When the Writer’s Guild of America went on strike, it not only meant that writers stopped working. It also effectively shut production down on most television shows. The entire 102-member crew of NBC’s The Office was laid off – without severance.

So, while in the shower, Alyssa Luckhurst thought it was time for Office fans everywhere to give back to the people who help make the show possible.

Some of the writers and actors keep in touch with the fans through blogs and forums online, Luckhurst says, so they made it easy to relate to the faceless, and sometimes thankless, 102-member crew.

She set up a humble goal of raising $100 per crew member, totalling $10,200 by December 21. “It’s not much,” she says, “but I’m sure it would help, even if to buy an extra present or two for someone’s kid.”

And no, this isn’t just a scam to steal your money. The fund is legitimized by the show’s co-executive producer, Kent Zbornak, who has directed fans to the fund’s MySpace page.

“I know of no other fans for any other production that has started a monetary drive to help the staff and crew of a show,” Zbornak says, and this is “true, unadulterated loyalty.”

But after the initial surge in donations began to waver (Luckhurst raised $4,600 in the first four days alone), the OFCF needs another boost in contributions. In comes the auction. The highest bidder will win a VIP tour of the set, get to watch a taping of a future episode, and have lunch with the entire cast and crew.

(The winner and guests must be 16 or over and provide their own transportation – and accommodations, if needed – to the production facility in Van Nuys, California.

With some fans donating hundreds of dollars at a time, Luckhurst believes the auction would easily help her raise the remaining funds. Already donated and don’t have the funds to bid? Don’t worry. Zbornak says everyone who donates will get a “special surprise” mailed to them once production starts back up again.

It might just be better than a hearty bowl of Jan in the morning.

For more information or to donate, visit myspace.com/ofcf.

Full disclosure: Alyssa Luckhurst is a staff writer for andPOP.






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