Help the Hodges, charity for former Disney artist's son

[Elladorine]

BURBANK, CA – January 20, 2010 - On Thursday, January 21, the National Cartoonists Society Foundation (NCSF) will be launching a fund-raising auction of original art by America's top cartoonists who donated their work to help one of their own in his time of need.

In August of 2009, Matthew Hodge, the teenage son of former Disney and Veggie Tales artist Tim Hodge, was in a car accident involving a train in rural Tennessee placing him into a coma. After the initial stay in the hospital, the Hodge's short term insurance policy wouldn't cover Matthew's long-term recovery at a nursing care facility, calling his coma a "pre-existing" condition.

Matthew Hodge was an A student at Page High School in Franklin, Tennessee, where he enjoyed being a part of the drumline in their championship marching band. This season, the band won their sixth consecutive Division II State Championship while Matthew's drums were silent.

The cartooning world has rallied around Tim and his family to raise funds needed to help them through their tragedy. Over 100 artists have donated 170 items of original art from comic strips, comic books, children's books, animation, and sculpture that will begin to be listed on eBay on January 21.

One of the auction’s organizers, former Disney director Tony Bancroft (“Mulan”) worked with Tim Hodge. “I’ve known the Hodges for over a decade, and they are kind and generous people that will always help their neighbors,” said Bancroft, “It’s time that we help them.”

While many of the artists do not know Tim Hodge personally, the kinship of one of their own going through this difficult time resonates with every one of them. Jean Schulz, widow of "Peanuts" creator Charles Schulz, said, "Please know my heart goes out to Matthew and his family and I wish them well on their road to recovery."

Highlights in this international fundraiser include:

* A drawing of "Charlie Brown" by Charles Schulz
* A drawing of "Wallace & Gromit" by creator Nick Parks
* An illustration by renowned movie poster illustrator Drew Struzan ("Indiana Jones," "Back to the Future")
* Sketches by "Hellboy" creator Mike Mignola
* An original comic strip by "Zits" cartoonists Jim Borgman & Jerry Scott
* A "Simpsons" poster signed by the voice cast and creator Matt Groening
* A drawing by Pixar's Golden Globe winning "Up" director Pete Docter
* An original watercolored strip by "Mutts" cartoonist Patrick McDonnell
* Spider-man art from creator Stan Lee
* Animation art by Disney's Glen Keane
* A group drawing by 21 top cartoonists such as Sergio Aragonès, Peter de Sève, Jeff Keane, Don Bluth and William Stout.
* Several pieces of classic Disney animation art going back to the days of black & white Mickey Mouse cartoons.

With so many generous donations, the artwork will be posted on eBay in thirds. The first grouping will be listed on January 21 beginning at 10am P.S.T., with subsequent listings on January 28 and February 4. All items for sale may be previewed at www.HelpTheHodges.com.

Fully tax-deductible donations may be given to Help the Hodges through Paypal on www.HelpTheHodges.com, or by sending a check with "Help the Hodges" written on the subject line to:

The NCS Foundation
341 N. Maitland Ave., #130
Maitland, FL 32751

The NCSF is the charitable arm of the National Cartoonists Society, the world's largest and most prestigious organization of professional cartoonists. It was formed in 2005 to continue the charitable and educational works that have been a hallmark of the NCS since its inception in 1946.

The NCSF exists to advance the ideals and standards of the cartooning profession, to stimulate and encourage aspiring cartoonists through scholarships and educational programs, and to provide financial assistance to cartoonists and their families in times of hardship. They have recently been involved in working with the USO in sending cartoonists to the Middle East to meet with the American troops, and they are presently running the Jay Kennedy Scholarship contest for college student cartoonists.


RELATED WEBSITES:

http://www.HelpTheHodges.com

http://www.CartoonistFoundation.org

http://www.Reuben.org

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Sad the insurance will no longer help them out; I wanted to spread the word about this, wish he and his family well, and hope that he recovers soon.