Okay. I know. You’re probably chilling out on this Memorial Day Monday. Maybe doing a little barbequing in the backyard. Or – more likely – just collapsed on the couch, watching ‘way too much cable TV.
Animation artwork from “Mulan” to be featured in the Pres-Aid live auction. Image courtesy of Pres-Aid / The Animation Guild. All Rights Reserved
Either way, I don’t mean to disrupt your holiday. But — if I could – I’d like to direct your attention to a very worthy cause. One that’s occurring at the other end of the work week. On Friday, June 4th to be specific. That’s when the Animation Guild will be holding a reception (at its snazzy new headquarters from 6 – 10 p.m. at 1105 N. Hollywood Way in Burbank, CA.) to kick off
Pres-Aid.
“The Secret of NIMH” production cel to be featured in the Pres-Aid live
auction. Image courtesy of Pres-Aid / The Animation Guild. All Rights
Reserved
For those of you who don’t already know: Pres Romanillos (the master animator behind Shan-Yu
in “Mulan,” Little Creek in “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” and Prince Naveen in “The Princess and The Frog”) has suffered a relapse of his leukemia and is currently awaiting a bone marrow transplant. Which is why Pres’ pals in the industry have come together. Not only to donate blood (because Romanillos is now undergoing chemotherapy, he needs a constant supply of platelets) but also pieces of art. Which will then be auctioned off to help cover the costs of
Pres’ hospitalization.
Jafar maquette to be featured in the Pres-Aid live
auction. Image courtesy of Pres-Aid / The Animation Guild. All Rights
Reserved
Now the Animation Guild is mounting a three pronged attack when it comes to Pres-Aid. To kick this fund-raising effort off, they’ll be holding a reception this Friday evening. With some of the 200 pieces of animation art that have been donated so far being put on display in Gallery 839
as well as in the large upstairs meeting space. Over the course of the evening, there’ll be a silent auction as well as refreshments served
Nick Park hand drawing of Wallace & Gromit to be featured in the Pres-Aid live
auction. Image courtesy of Pres-Aid / The Animation Guild. All Rights
Reserved
Then – over the first half of the month of June – select pieces will be put up for bid on eBay. To help raise awareness of TAG’s Pres-Aid effort as well as whet collectors’ appetites for the live animation art auction. Which will be help on Sunday, June 20th.
Autographed poster for “Tarzan” to be featured in the Pres-Aid live
auction. Image courtesy of Pres-Aid / The Animation Guild. All Rights
Reserved
Another component of Pres-Aid is – of course – convincing folks to register to become a bone marrow donor. Animation Guild officials plan on making some information available about this very worthwhile program at Friday night’s reception. And all that’s involved with becoming a part of the bone marrow donor registry is a swab of your inner cheek, or so I hear.
Phineas & Ferb gift box to be featured in the upcoming Pres-Aid live
auction. Image courtesy of Pres-Aid / The Animation Guild. All Rights
Reserved
The people behind Pres-Aid will also be looking for volunteers to go donate platelets specifically for Mr. Romanillos. Though this procedure (which will take approximately 2 – 2.5 hours) must be done at the City of Hope. Which is in Duarte, just east of Pasadena.
“Doonesbury” comic strip art to be featured in the upcoming Pre-Aid live
auction. Image courtesy of Pres-Aid / The Animation Guild. All Rights
Reserved
To schedule an appointment to donate platelets, please call
626-471-7171. Or if you’re type O- or O+, you can just donate blood for Pres by dropping by the City of Hope. Better yet, if you’d just like to make a direct donation, you can do so by clicking on this link. Which will take you to the Talbert Family Foundation. Which is an official 501(c)3 charity. Which means that 100% of those donations will go to Pres Romanillos and his family.
Drew Struzan drawing of Indiana Jones to be featured in the upcoming Pres-Aid live
auction. Image courtesy of Pres-Aid / The Animation Guild. All Rights
Reserved
For further information on the Animation Guild’s continuing Pres-Aid efforts, please make a point of regularly dropping up the official Pres-Aid website. Where TAG officials will update you on the pieces that will be featured in that live auction on June 20th as well as any other Romanillos-related fund-raisers that the Animation Guild may have in the works.
Hirschfeld caricature of the original Broadway cast of Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast” to be featured in the upcoming Pres-Aid live
auction. Image courtesy of Pres-Aid / The Animation Guild. All Rights
Reserved
Beyond that … Please enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend. Though – between the potato salad and making like a couch potato, it would be nice if you’d take a moment to reflect on today’s true purpose. Which is to remember and then honor those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.