Chris Sparks, a professional web designer, is leading the Team Cul de Sac (TCDS) fundraising effort in honor of his friend Richard Thompson, the cartoonist behind the Cul de Sac comic strip. Richard was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. With Richard's support, TCDS has asked cartoonists across the country to draw his characters so the artwork can be compiled into a fundraising book and the artwork auctioned to raise additional money. Hundreds of cartoonists have responded and sent artwork in to be compiled in a book soon to be published by Andrews McMeel. We've received cartoons from many of Richard's personal friends including Stephen Pastis (Pearls Before Swine), Sergio Aragones (Mad, Groo), Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Pat Oliphant (Pulitzer Prize political cartoonist), Dave Kellet (Sheldon, Drive), Gene Weingarten and David Clark (Barney & Clyde), Mason Mastroianni (B.C.), Roger Langridge (Muppet Show comic book, Marvel's Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Fred the Clown), Shannon Gallant (G.I.Joe), Michael Cavna (Washington Post), Steven Artley (Artleytoons), Barbara Dale and Steve Conley (Astounding Space Thrills, Bloop) and even Bill Watterson of Calvin and Hobbes fame. That's just the list of people we asked first because they know Richard. Many other fantastic cartoonists contributed, space doesn't permit us to list them all, but we appreciate everyone's contributions.
The Team Cul de Sac book is available at places such as Amazon. Signed copies are also available from Chris at Sparking Design. You can keep up with our progress through our blog and Facebook pages.
In 2010 we raised $50.00
In 2011 we raised over $4000.00
In 2012 we raised over $53,000.00 and we had matching funds to push us over $102,000.00
