History of ECC
In the summer of 1993, several long time Peanuts memorabilia collectors met at a small gathering in Ohio and from a casual dinner
conversation, friendships blossomed and dreams of an east coast gathering were first discussed. It was realized that up to that point,
the only large Peanuts convention type events were held in Santa Rosa, CA and cost & distance made it prohibitive for the large
contingent of fans on the east coast to attend. The geographical makeup of the east coast states and known Peanuts collectors in each
pointed to Pennsylvania as the logical site for a first gathering. The founding committee decided on East Coast Collectors as the group’s
name and after much discussion, booked a hotel in Stroudsburg, PA, in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, as location of the
first ever East Coast Collectors Weekend to be held in September 1994.
As word spread about the upcoming gathering of Peanuts enthusiasts, the hotel quickly booked to capacity and the committee soon
realized that something magical was about to happen. The first ever ECC Event drew over 300 attendees where traditions such as
the market extravaganza, room sales, a scavenger hunt and themed dinners brought together like minded collectors for a fun filled weekend.
Little did the committee know what lie ahead when they planned that little gathering in the Poconos so many years back.
Two years later in 1996, the second ECC Weekend grew immensely and was held in Carlisle, Pa and attracted close to 400 attendees.
Thru the generosity of Jeannie Schulz, at this event was the first auction we ever held, with proceeds benefiting Canine Companions for Independence. Bidders went wild over the one-of-a-kind prototype and sample items that Jeannie had sent and the Future Mission of ECC was established, raising funds for CCI. Future events would see the fundraising aspect become a very important part of the weekend experience
for our attendees.
Some of our highlights over the years were a visit to camp Snoopy at Dorney Park for its 2003 opening year, a boat cruise in
Pittsburgh, a train ride from Scranton to the Poconos, a visit to the NJ State Aquarium, & a coal mine tour in Scranton. In 2000, ECC was the
featured club at the Atlantic City Antiques Extravaganza which paid tribute to 50 years of Peanuts. In 2010, ECC participated in Nashville’s Hall of Trees with a Peanuts themed tree decorated with ornaments donated by ECC attendees and auctioned off for CCI.
In 2009, the group visited the CCI Northeast Complex in Medford, NY where we have a strong naming presence on kennels, play yards,
offices & walkway pavers.
For a period of years from 1998 thru 2005, East Coast Collectors held events annually to large crowds who raised unbelievable amounts of money
for CCI. Over the years, ECC events were all about friendships. Many of our attendees have become like an extended family and keep in touch between events regularly. Despite the many volunteers who helped each year at the actual event, the planning of such large scale events beforehand was so exhausting that the founding committee made a decision to opt for biannual gatherings. This would allow attendees a break every other year as well and seemed to make the events more anticipated by all.
In 2012, in response to suggestions from attendees, for the first time ever, the ECC Weekend was held outside of PA, in Roanoke Virginia. This event proved to be one of our best ever, with a welcome reception held at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, a site that was made possible thru the generosity of Charles Sparky Schulz who before his death in 2000, was their national fundraising chairman. At this event, the future of ECC was insured with the addition of 3 new planning committee members (Susan, Brian and Carol) who have helped guide the group’s future by preparing our 15th event in summer 2014. A Peanuts Thanksgiving Weekend turned out to be a solid event in which we raised over $19,000. This planning committee line up has continued to plan events every other year, only being paused during the pandemic. In 2023 the group came back with one of our best events and are currently planning our 2025 event. We hope that this continues well into the future.
Over the years ECC has been able to raise a significant amount for CCI. The total broke a milestone when the group surpassed the quarter million dollar mark with the 14th event. With the completion of our 17th event in 2018 we broke the $300,000 mark. To date, East Coast Collectors events have raised a total of $ 347.444. With the planning in progress for our next event in 2025 we have high hopes to continue raising funds for a worthy charity and work towards our next benchmark of $400,000.
conversation, friendships blossomed and dreams of an east coast gathering were first discussed. It was realized that up to that point,
the only large Peanuts convention type events were held in Santa Rosa, CA and cost & distance made it prohibitive for the large
contingent of fans on the east coast to attend. The geographical makeup of the east coast states and known Peanuts collectors in each
pointed to Pennsylvania as the logical site for a first gathering. The founding committee decided on East Coast Collectors as the group’s
name and after much discussion, booked a hotel in Stroudsburg, PA, in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, as location of the
first ever East Coast Collectors Weekend to be held in September 1994.
As word spread about the upcoming gathering of Peanuts enthusiasts, the hotel quickly booked to capacity and the committee soon
realized that something magical was about to happen. The first ever ECC Event drew over 300 attendees where traditions such as
the market extravaganza, room sales, a scavenger hunt and themed dinners brought together like minded collectors for a fun filled weekend.
Little did the committee know what lie ahead when they planned that little gathering in the Poconos so many years back.
Two years later in 1996, the second ECC Weekend grew immensely and was held in Carlisle, Pa and attracted close to 400 attendees.
Thru the generosity of Jeannie Schulz, at this event was the first auction we ever held, with proceeds benefiting Canine Companions for Independence. Bidders went wild over the one-of-a-kind prototype and sample items that Jeannie had sent and the Future Mission of ECC was established, raising funds for CCI. Future events would see the fundraising aspect become a very important part of the weekend experience
for our attendees.
Some of our highlights over the years were a visit to camp Snoopy at Dorney Park for its 2003 opening year, a boat cruise in
Pittsburgh, a train ride from Scranton to the Poconos, a visit to the NJ State Aquarium, & a coal mine tour in Scranton. In 2000, ECC was the
featured club at the Atlantic City Antiques Extravaganza which paid tribute to 50 years of Peanuts. In 2010, ECC participated in Nashville’s Hall of Trees with a Peanuts themed tree decorated with ornaments donated by ECC attendees and auctioned off for CCI.
In 2009, the group visited the CCI Northeast Complex in Medford, NY where we have a strong naming presence on kennels, play yards,
offices & walkway pavers.
For a period of years from 1998 thru 2005, East Coast Collectors held events annually to large crowds who raised unbelievable amounts of money
for CCI. Over the years, ECC events were all about friendships. Many of our attendees have become like an extended family and keep in touch between events regularly. Despite the many volunteers who helped each year at the actual event, the planning of such large scale events beforehand was so exhausting that the founding committee made a decision to opt for biannual gatherings. This would allow attendees a break every other year as well and seemed to make the events more anticipated by all.
In 2012, in response to suggestions from attendees, for the first time ever, the ECC Weekend was held outside of PA, in Roanoke Virginia. This event proved to be one of our best ever, with a welcome reception held at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, a site that was made possible thru the generosity of Charles Sparky Schulz who before his death in 2000, was their national fundraising chairman. At this event, the future of ECC was insured with the addition of 3 new planning committee members (Susan, Brian and Carol) who have helped guide the group’s future by preparing our 15th event in summer 2014. A Peanuts Thanksgiving Weekend turned out to be a solid event in which we raised over $19,000. This planning committee line up has continued to plan events every other year, only being paused during the pandemic. In 2023 the group came back with one of our best events and are currently planning our 2025 event. We hope that this continues well into the future.
Over the years ECC has been able to raise a significant amount for CCI. The total broke a milestone when the group surpassed the quarter million dollar mark with the 14th event. With the completion of our 17th event in 2018 we broke the $300,000 mark. To date, East Coast Collectors events have raised a total of $ 347.444. With the planning in progress for our next event in 2025 we have high hopes to continue raising funds for a worthy charity and work towards our next benchmark of $400,000.