YABSERS ALERT! Help Is Needed!

[Gail Simone]

I stole this (with her permission) from Lea's site.

I know a lot of you are struggling financially a little bit. I totally understand.

But if you HAVE twenty dollars to send this family, PLEASE DO. For god's sake, this is just a sad, sad story and we can make it better!


FROM LEA HERNANDEZ:

HELP: For the Family of Tom Artis

Via the mighty mighty Tom Spurgeon:

The family of the late cartoonist Tom Artis needs your help.

Many people wrote me after the fire last year and said, "I can't imagine." I can't imagine what the last eight months would have been like without the many small donations made to my family. Most were under $20. But, like the kid who went to college on pennies, small can become huge.

I can't imagine being the family of Tom Artis. Artis died from complications of diabetes on May 1st. The family home was destroyed by a tornado. They were robbed of Tom's art and their possessions shortly after Tom went into the hospital.
Tom's family can't even afford to give him a funeral, which is criminal.
It's a pointed reminder to freelancers to not give the entirety of their careers to work for hire, and to invest, and to insure, but that's our lesson, a gift from Tom.

I would like for you, even if only because I asked, to show the Artis family some of the love you showed me. I know money's tight, but throw a couple ones or a fiver or even a Jackson in the mail.
I'm sending a crisp $20. from my earnings at CAPE!

Here's my challenge to you, Friends of the Diva: I have 387 people who list me as a friend. I'd like at LEAST 300 of you to send AT LEAST $5.00 each.
That'll raise $1,500. just from us.
Don't think someone else might be doing it. If you can't send $5.00, send a buck. Send quarters from the couch.
It ALL helps!

The Tom TC Artis and Family Memorial Fund

You can send the check to:

Marine Bank
Attn: Gale Krueger
1401 North Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62702

The Artis family thanks you, and I thank you. We can't imagine, but we can do.

[Flamebird]

Yikes!

I CAN imagine what they are going through.

Guess I'll be scrounging up some pennies.

Here's hoping that they will be okay and things will improve for them.

[TCJohnson]

Payday is monday, I will send something then.

[KevinTBrown]

This definitely needs to be a sticky.


I remember Tom Artis. One hell of a NICE guy.

[Larry Dixon]

I am a struggling diabetic. I was a stormspotter & a tornado struck my home once. I have been stolen from, lost family members, been hospitalized more times than I can count. That'd be enough to make this personal for me.

However times may be tough for me I am ever mindful that things can be worse for others and I want things to be better.

I'm on this.

Thanks for the heads up.

PS: Is there a Paypal account for the family yet?

[Sarah Beach]

I just sent out some money to help another friend, but I'll see if I can squeeze something from the budget for this.

It's not exactly clear -- do we make the check out to the fund named there? Or to the bank (with a note as to what it's for)?

Just checking there (I'm tired enough today, that I want to be extra, extra sure on such details).

[TomStillwell]

I meant to post this yesterday but the forum was all dodgy.

Please donate if you can.

Tailgunner Jo is one of my favorite comics of all time.

[Cam63]

'Will do.
........

[the4thpip]

Oh no, I had no idea Tom Artis died.

:(

[Reverend Smooth]

PS: Is there a Paypal account for the family yet?I'm curious about this too, since I could probably send something in about a month. Which will undoubtedly be late, but I'm sure they'd be able to use it then, too.

[Matt Doc Martin]

I will send in what I can.

[Ell Aich]

D'OH!

I left out a REALLY IMPORTANT line in my post (since corrected), and that like is "MAKE CHECKS OUT TO."

As in:

MAKE CHECKS OUT TO:

"The Tom TC Artis and Family Memorial Fund"

Send your gift to:

Marine Bank
Attn: Gale Krueger
1401 North Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62702

As for PayPal, there is none so far that I know of. The tricky thing about PayPal is that they are super-vigilant (as they should be) about fraudulent charity collection. My PayPal account was frozen for a day, and I had to prove I wasn't collecting for someone who'd never get it. (PayPal sent a nice note after.)

I hope the family or Gale Krueger set up an account soon, to take advantage of the ease of PayPal (and the fact that many people with PayPal have a few bucks just sittin' in their accounts). Until then, I'd say well-concealed cash, money orders and checks. (Money orders are dirt-cheap at the Post Office.)

Thanks so much, YABsers. As Dan Vado said, "We are all Tom Artis."

[Matt Doc Martin]

D'OH!

I left out a REALLY IMPORTANT line in my post (since corrected), and that like is "MAKE CHECKS OUT TO."

As in:

MAKE CHECKS OUT TO:

"The Tom TC Artis and Family Memorial Fund"

Send your gift to:

Marine Bank
Attn: Gale Krueger
1401 North Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62702

As for PayPal, there is none so far that I know of. The tricky thing about PayPal is that they are super-vigilant (as they should be) about fraudulent charity collection. My PayPal account was frozen for a day, and I had to prove I wasn't collecting for someone who'd never get it. (PayPal sent a nice note after.)

I hope the family or Gale Krueger set up an account soon, to take advantage of the ease of PayPal (and the fact that many people with PayPal have a few bucks just sittin' in their accounts). Until then, I'd say well-concealed cash, money orders and checks. (Money orders are dirt-cheap at the Post Office.)

Thanks so much, YABsers. As Dan Vado said, "We are all Tom Artis."


Thanks.

I just posted on my LJ and at MySpace.

[diana_fan]

I assume a money order is ok? If so, I'll be on it Monday.

This is a terrible situation, and my thoughts are with the family.

[bert]

Cash is fine too, I hope?

$20 goes in the mail on Monday.

[Matt Doc Martin]

Two YABSERS are sending me money via paypal. (You can announce yourselves if you want)

Good work, everyone! Keep it up!

[Jamie Coville]

I am one of them.

Thanks Matt, you've made it really convenient for me to help out.

[Matt Doc Martin]

I am one of them.

Thanks Matt, you've made it really convenient for me to help out.

And again, you rock.

[Inkpot1965]

And again, you rock.

Matt,
Send me your info on paypal, and I'll gladly send some moey to help out

[Inkpot1965]

And again, you rock.

Damned double posts.

[Ell Aich]

Be careful with how you identify funds sent to Matt. PayPal will shut down an account getting "donations," and getting it open again will be a bitch.
The Blank Label guys found this out when collecting for New Orleans evacuees.

Matt, might be a good idea to scan the check/money order you send to Artis' family as proof of dispersal. (You probably already though of this. You am genius.)

[Allan Harvey]

Over on her blog, Colleen Doran has news of an auction of some of her Book of Lost Souls artwork to benefit the family of Tom Artis:

http://adistantsoil.com/blog/?p=1291#comments

I put in a bid of $100 and was immediately outbid, so I think it's gonna go well...

[Matt Doc Martin]

Be careful with how you identify funds sent to Matt. PayPal will shut down an account getting "donations," and getting it open again will be a bitch.
The Blank Label guys found this out when collecting for New Orleans evacuees.

Matt, might be a good idea to scan the check/money order you send to Artis' family as proof of dispersal. (You probably already though of this. You am genius.)



Actually, I did not.

But I absolutely will.

Basically, I am not using my PayPal for anything now BUT this, so just label it Tom Artis. I will screencap the page of donations along with a copy of my check and mail it off.

[Ell Aich]

Actually, I did not.

But I absolutely will.

Basically, I am not using my PayPal for anything now BUT this, so just label it Tom Artis. I will screencap the page of donations along with a copy of my check and mail it off.


You rule.
Here's ten more characters to make the message long enough to post. ^_-

[Matt Doc Martin]

You rule.
Here's ten more characters to make the message long enough to post. ^_-

Eh...we'll see. I have two more people that are supposedly donating through PayPal. When they come through, I will cut the first check, with those donations and my own.

EDIT: Now just waiting on one!

Announce yourself, good donator!

[Darediva]

I'm your huckleberry, Matt. Send me your paypal account info, and we are good.

[Larry Dixon]

Same here Doc. Send me the Paypal info and I'll be sure that Benjamin Franklin visits them.

[Cam63]

You'd dig up Ben !?

...Whoa.

[Larry Dixon]

For you, Cam, I'd dig up Bacchus.

[Inkpot1965]

For you, Cam, I'd dig up Bacchus.

Jim Bacchus? [Yes, I know it's probably spelled wrong. No barriers will stop my humor, least of all grammar]

OHHH, MAGOO!! YOU'VE DONE IT AGAIN!

[Matt Doc Martin]

Ok...I now have received 4 out of 6 promised donations via PayPal. I know the other two will be along presently.


One thing I want to say: I AM SURE ANY AMOUNT WILL BE APPRECIATED!! Please....if you give what you can of your own free will, then you did a GREAT thing. Hell, I will be sending a check of well over $100 due to the "small" amounts I have gotten so far. IT ALL ADDS UP! Don't be ashamed over what you give. An honestly given quarter beats a grudgingly given $50 in my book.

If you cannot donate, that is fine as well. Maybe if you have a LiveJournal, MySpace page, etc. you can spread the word and try to get donations sent in.

Do what you can. That is all Gail asked. I am not rich. Part of what I give will go towards paying the PayPal fees. But I am doing what I can. I have nothing to do with this besides trying to make it easier for folks to donate to the fund.

Thanks to everyone who has given, for those of you who will donate, and please, keep this family in your thoughts.

[Larry Dixon]

Agent of Fortune "F" reporting in. Money sent to Matt "Incident Command" Doc Martin via Paypal.

[Shady Jack]

Mine's been sent as well. Thanks Matt :)

[Matt Doc Martin]

Here is where we stand with PayPal donations:

Everyone who has promised me paypal donations so far has ponied up.

We have (By code letter):

a)$20
b)$25
c)$20
d)$20
e)$10
f)$100


That makes a grand total of: $195!!!!

I am donating the paypal fees (That $195 actually comes out less than that) and my own amount to make it $220.

The check will be mailed by Tuesday, along with a copy of the PayPal printout.

Please, keep the donations coming!!! And thank you to A-F for all you have done!!!!


YABSers RULE!!!

[Cam63]

For you, Cam, I'd dig up Bacchus.

Rod Marsh is still with us.

[Ell Aich]

Here is where we stand with PayPal donations:


That makes a grand total of: $195!!!!



AWESOME! Keep it coming, people.

I keep updating my LJ entry on the sitch, as I find out stuff, and add things:

http://divalea.livejournal.com/452364.html

[Ell Aich]

Bumping this back to the front page.

I know these things lose momentum after about a month, so please let's do what we can until then.

Here's that donation info again, to save time searching:

You can make the check out to:
The Tom TC Artis and Family Memorial Fund

You can send the check to:
Marine Bank
Attn: Gale Krueger
1401 North Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62702

Do what you can. Everything helps.

[Matt Doc Martin]

Bumping this back to the front page.

I know these things lose momentum after about a month, so please let's do what we can until then.

Here's that donation info again, to save time searching:

You can make the check out to:
The Tom TC Artis and Family Memorial Fund

You can send the check to:
Marine Bank
Attn: Gale Krueger
1401 North Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62702

Do what you can. Everything helps.

I was about to do that myself.


A check for $220 was mailed out this morning.

I got a PM from someone I will call "G" of a possible other PayPal donation.

Let's say you have no interest in helping Tom Artis' family.

Do it to spite me. If you donate $20, PayPal takes .88.

If you donate $2000, paypal takes $88.

The more you donate , the more I pay out of pocket. SO BANKRUPT ME!!!

And, gods forbid, someday it may be YOU that needs help. And I will work as hard to help you.

So please...anything helps.

[TCJohnson]

Yeah, my payday was Tuesday, not Monday (the 15th of every month). So I just sent in my contribution. Hope it helps and sorry it can't be more.

[mgs]

money is tight. and i have no idea who this is or what works he had done in the past, but Gail seems very sincere in her pleading, so I'll try and figure out what I can do.

[Matt Doc Martin]

money is tight. and i have no idea who this is or what works he had done in the past, but Gail seems very sincere in her pleading, so I'll try and figure out what I can do.

That is very good of you.

[mgs]

That is very good of you.

thanks Doc. :) just got some checks from my bank, so I figure I'll use one. *trying to be humble*

[Ell Aich]

I am Relentless Like an NPR Fund Drive

Tom Spurgeon gives an update on Tom Artis:

"I just spoke to Gale Krueger at Marine Bank in Springfield, Illinois, just to double check and see that donations to the Tom TC Artis Family Fund were getting to the fund. She says that they've been receiving about 10 envelopes a day for the last week, from all over the country, and that these have all gone straight into the fund. So that's good news.

If you've contributed something or plan on it, thank you. It sounds like the family is going to be able to use it." (http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/update_on_tom_artis_family_fund/)

Make checks or money orders out to:
The Tom TC Artis and Family Memorial Fund

And send your gift to:
Marine Bank
Attn: Gale Krueger
1401 North Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62702

Having been out of my home for six months, I do know how how difficult it is to be missing the stability of one's place, and how hard it is on children. Kim Artis wants to fix up Tom's home, which he had lived in from the age of three.
Kim, Duke and Hope also will need money to catch up on bills and be able to just get on with daily living. Not having a debt monster hanging over one's head during a time of grief is incredibly helpful!

I promise you that even a buck or five makes a difference. This is my friendly throwdown to the YABsers to try and whip my LJ's Friend Of list in donations.

We are All Tom Artis.--Dan Vado

[Matt Doc Martin]

And another $20 came into me today!!!

I will wait until Wednesday for any more donations, then I will issue another check.

[cedardryad]

I will send money. I was just talking to MPagar about how there should be funds for artists and writers and their families that have struggled to make ends meet or have lost money due to unforeseen tragic events.

[Ell Aich]

I will send money. I was just talking to MPagar about how there should be funds for artists and writers and their families that have struggled to make ends meet or have lost money due to unforeseen tragic events.

There is such a fund, it is called The Hero Initiative. They helped me last September when my house burned down.

http://www.heroinitiative.org/

Also, for people who'd like to get a sweet piece of art AND help, there's Colleen Doran's auction of her cover art for Book of Lost Souls. (http://cgi.ebay.com/Book-of-Lost-Souls-ORIGINAL-COMIC-ART-COVER-Doran-JMS_W0QQitemZ150121681837QQihZ005QQcategoryZ3985QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

It's ending midday Monday, so get on it!

[TCJohnson]

The Heroes Initiative (Used to be called A.C.T.O.R.) is one of my favorite charaties to donate to....that, House or Ruth (batter womans shelter), Doctors Without Fronties and Four Paws Animal Rescue.

[mgs]

sorry I'm so late for doing this, I hope i can still send a check to the fund. one will be going out tomorrow.

[Red Jack]

check goes out tomorrow.