Jim, I really hope that you're not counting this as your article today.  You could have written about Disney VoluntEARs or something and thrown some love to the unsung heroes of Disney who will be feeding the homeless Wednesday night all around the United States.  But no, you're rehashing something you've already written about.  Woo hoo... (heavy sarcasm)...

YAY -- rich people can afford to call kids while those who aren't rich will actually be working for free.  I appreciate the difference that this can make in a child's life, but I'm (again) irked that you'd use this same article you'd already written and that you'd also ignore a much larger aspect of Disney's (and the other entertainment companies') ways of helping those who are less fortunate.

I certainly hope I'm not offending anyone as I really do feel for those who receive the calls :)

"Who'd have thought it? The suits that run the Walt Disney Company actually do have hearts."  lol.  just lol.

" Cheryl Chase -- best known as the voice of the adorably obnoxious Angelica Pickles on Nickelodeon's popular animated series, "Rugrats.""
At first, I read that as Chevy Chase...I was about to tell my husband that Chevy Chase voiced Angelica...glad I read it again ;-)

jimiscrazy, I think it's a nice thing that Jim wrote this article.  It's a heartwarming story on a mighty cold morning.  Even if it is the only article of the day, even if one of us makes a donation, Jim did a great thing by writing this article.  It's is the season of giving, after all.  Way to go, Jim!

Why would there be a problem in reminding people of this organization? It seems a worthy cause and worth our attention, and I'm sure the VoluntEARs will be discussed soon enough. Why do so many people want to dictate the direction of Jim Hill's articles? Start your own website, get your own contacts, collect your own news, start your own forum, and then see what a drag some people are.

WHAT THE HECK IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? Seriously in all my years on the net rarely can I remember a website with such a poisonous, nasty, small minded community like this one. I have been reading this sight for about eight months now and have not posted before because of how turned off I have been by the so called community that claims to represent this site. These days I almost never bother to read the comments because of how nasty and small minded become. Many days they have helped ruin a story I otherwise loved and I simply no longer could tolerate it. I thought at least with this wonderful and touching story about an organization I had never heard of before that we would get no negative, flaming comments. But no how quickly I was shown to be wrong and for me at least this is my breaking point. I have to respond now or else I will start ripping out my hair in frustration.

jimiscrazy your complaints about this story lack any substance and border on personal attacks on a man who quite frankly I'm not even sure why keeps doing what he does. It  seems like all he gets in response is crap is like you. If you don't like his stories, if you don't like this site, if you don't agree with anything he does than please GO THE FRAK AWAY and leave it to those of us who do. Nobody says you have to enjoy everything Jim writes and if you want to intelligently discuss why, I will gladly listen and respond in kind. Post like yours above however in no way constitute intelligent discussion. It is trolling plain and simple and I wish to god that you would stop it.

Jim in the likely event that I don't post again for long time I just wanted to say my family and I love your website and greatly appreciate all the hard work you put into it. Obviously I would love for you to finish some of your in progress series but I understand all to well the twisting and curving path the writing process can sometimes take. I for one am thrilled to learn about Famous Fone Friends and you can bet I will be adding them to my donation list. This just another in a long line of fascinating articles that let me learn more about an industry and (at least creatively) a business I love. Thank you again for all the great stories and hard work. Try not to let the small minded idiots get you down.

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Oh, the gaul, Jimiscrazy.  What a snotty, self-centered comment.  "Ohh, I don't get any update on the business or history today, waaaaah."  This isn't your website.  And Jim has more frequent updates than almost any other Disney-themed site; you can't expect all of them to knock your socks off (though I quite enjoyed this one.)  

And you complain that he could have addressed VoluntEars?  He has addressed that in the past, as well.  Both topics would have been repeat performances.  But who cares?  When discussing a topic like Disney, you're going to have to repeat yourself now and then.

Any cause that makes sick children smile deserves to be lauded.  And charities are always in dire need of funds (even if the voices are working for free, the organizers are not.)

Thank you for the article, Jim.  It was interesting, and inspiring.

I totally agree with StorytellerSJK about the poor community spirit on Jim Hill Media.  Although I have my own screenname here as does everyone else, the problem with venom and spite on any internet community chat site is Anonymity.

Most people wouldn't think of writing these spite filled comments if they had to actually attach their full, real name to the comments rather than behind some made-up SN.

Take each comment with a grain of salt.  It's easier to be a Disney armchair critic when you're hiding behind some stupid name.    
 
Case in point.  --->    - DizneeProfitEar.

Jim, thank you for this great article. As we approach this time of craziness, it is nice to be reminded of the good that happens. I think it is so great that all these voice performers will take time to truly make a difference by brightening these children's day. And I also find it great that Disney (and these other companies) are also embracing the goodwill. It is organizations like this (along with similar ones like VoluntEARS, Make a Wish, etc) that really shine this time of year.

Hi everyone,

While I appreciate your opinion of how I feel about what Jim wrote today, I do not appreciate the way I've been villified by all of you.

I have no intention of starting my own site, as I have interests that conflict with that, and also, I may or may occasionally make sure information is passed along to Jim, take that as you may.

I am frustrated that Jim has rehashed an article that he previously wrote without expanding upon it.  Maybe he could have written a few stories from Wayne, Russi, et al.

This site is simply people hiding behind stupid names, as most of Jim's sources are anonymous, so please don't criticize me for that.

I appreciate that Jim wants to show a charitable side to the performers who work FOR Disney as performers, but I'd appreciate sometimes showing the "grunts" get their due, as well.  Or maybe an in-depth article into broader initiatives that Disney supports.

So, please, I'm not attacking Jim on a personal level.  I enjoy reading his site, but I'm disappointed with today's article.  Simple as that.  Jim can't win them all, but I think that criticism and discussion are welcome and that's why this forum is here for us.

What a wonderful, heartwarming story! Thanks, Jim, for posting this - I'd never heard of Famous Fone Friends. As a kid I would have freaked over getting a phone call from Mickey Mouse! What a terrific idea. (And I'm not surprised so many kids like Angelica from Rugrats, as bossy as she is. She's a take-charge type of kid, like Bart Simpson, and a lot of kids dig that kind of personality). And I especially liked the story about Jim Varney. He must have been an incredibly nice guy. Thanks again, Jim, this story really brightened my day.

If you don't want to be vilified, don't be vile. Your post was just inane, crass, and selfish, and made moreso by trashing an article with a generous intent. Criticism isn't about heavy sarcasm, and you write like you should already know that. This is the first such article Jim Hill has posted for the season, and you know he'll post more, so really it sounds like you are just complaining to read your own insensitivity. Your mock surprise at everyone's response lacks sincerity, too. Try tempering your next post with common sense, please.

Too bad all of these sick kids will not know how to spell the word PHONE  :)

I'm going to go ahead and do what I feel that Jim should have done, but did not:

During this time of year, many families have a hard time enjoying themselves.  You see, they have children with terminal illnesses, they are impoverished, and many, many other things.

In the past, I wrote this article at Laughing Place:
http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID115060.asp

Rather than present it in its entirety here, why don't you click on over there and read it.

Also, here's a story from Nancy Cartwright's site about the organization:
http://www.nancycartwright.com/html/volunteer/volunteer_fff.html

And finally, if you personally are interested in participating this year in making a difference then I'd suggest you head on over to the Disney VoluntEARs site:

http://disney.go.com/disneyhand/voluntears/index.html

Disney Cast Members can volunteer to go out and help others in the community.  Sometimes this is very touching, seeing as many Cast Members at Disney's theme parks struggle themselves to make it through the holidays -- it really shows the spirit of these people.

If you are or know of a Cast Member, why don't you sign-up (or sign-up through that CM friend) for a VoluntEAR event this year and really make a difference!

1) As others have said, if you don't want to be vilified, don't be vile. To start with, don't bash an article that talks about an organization that helps sick children.

2) So what, Jim wrote about it before. What you fail to mention is that he last wrote it five and a half years ago over at LaughingPlace.com. I'm willing to bet that only a handful of people here read that article.

3) Yes, criticism is welcome on the boards (often too much), but who in their right mind criticizes an article about an organization that helps sick children? And of course, I'm sure your username "JimIsCrazy" isn't helping you much on that front either.

Waaah, JimIsCrazy feels vilified. What the heck did you expect for making an ill-considered comment like the one that begins this thread?? Your heart may in fact be in the right place, JIC, but clearly the majority here interpreted your comments as bilious and spiteful. The burden of communication is on the communicatOR, so if you're feeling all misunderstood it's truly your own fault. Any reasonable person of average or better intelligence would have made the same misinterpretaion of your thoughts based on the way you wrote them down.

Great article Jim thanks for sharing so nice to see some of these well known voice actors give up there time to help such a good cause.And I really apreciate the article because its something that these talented people do that we never get to hear about.Also coming from the UK I'd just like to wish you and all your American readers a Happy Thanksgiving

We hear so much negativity when it comes to the "suits" behind every big, and sometimes not so big companies, that it's great to know these same pencil pushers within the animation community (at least) can look the other way where terminal children are involved.

Thank you for reminding us of this worthwhile cause.  It's just sad that some membes of this Board seem to HAVE to be reminded, and that they don't "get" the very point to the article, or apairnetly the Holiday itself.

What were you saying about "Good Will Toword Men"?

(And you'll notice I use my own, real name.)

askmike1 said:
"1) As others have said, if you don't want to be vilified, don't be vile. To start with, don't bash an article that talks about an organization that helps sick children.
2) So what, Jim wrote about it before. What you fail to mention is that he last wrote it five and a half years ago over at LaughingPlace.com. I'm willing to bet that only a handful of people here read that article. "
----
And 4), um....maybe he was going on vacation for the holiday?  9_9

I want to thank Jimiscrazy for his additional comments about the dedicated seaonal work of voluntEARS, I also want to thank Jim Hill for his reminder of the wonderful work Famous Fone Friends provides.  Both topics are perfect for this Thanksgiving Holiday.

I plan on making several large donations this season and Fone Friends will be among them.

I hope everyone has a happy holiday season,
Curt Brown

Just ban Jimiscrazy Jim.  We don't want to hear from him anymore....  Thanks for your wonderful, frequently updated site.  Wouldn't mind if you got rid of the irritating popups though.  I'd be glad to pay a bit for a popup free version.  

Well, hey, at least this fire in the comments section prove that there's some good community base here to counter the bad, right?

As to giving time to promote the Famous Fone Friends instead of the Disney VoluntEARS, I'm guessing we all know about the VoluntEARS since we're all goobs anyway, right? I think this was a great article (rehashed or not) because many of us obviously DIDN'T know about Famous Fone Friends, and especially because the main focus of it wasn't on Disney voice actors doing good, but rather a Nickelodeon character.

So yeah... To those who choose to chastize this article: suck it up, shut up, and have a happy Thanksgiving. There are kids dying in hospitals who are waiting for a call from Angelica during dinner.

datbates said:
"Just ban Jimiscrazy Jim.  We don't want to hear from him anymore...."
---
Judging from the screenname and the posts, think JIC caught the wave back during the Cars Wars when he thought he was buddying up with the rest of us for the kicks of it, and now just doesn't know when to adjust his material--
He's STILL trying to do August posts because he thought they'd all get a laugh months later, and, well, it's November now, and we're trying to heal..."Hey, c'mon, why the tough crowd?--Ba-bing!"

No need to ban me -- I'm done.

I am not on the "August Bandwagon" still, and the "jimiscrazy" name has nothing to do with Jim Hill, it's a reference to something else, but no point explaining it to anyone here.

Enjoy the site everyone.  I'll be busy getting my insider information directly from the source.

Oh, and one more thing -- considering that I was aware of a Jim Hill article from 5 years ago on Laughing Place, you'd think that maybe I've been around as long, if not longer than most of the other people on this board.  When the Cars debacle was happening, all I requested was for Jim to simply state his position on Cars -- I shut up when he did.  I didn't care if he called it a failure or not -- I only wanted to see where his bias was.

>>I'll be busy getting my insider information directly from the source.<<

Walt Disney himself!

But seriously, will you be starting your own website?

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