Friends of the Haven Foundation--TheDarkTower.com Fundraiser 2009

[Matticus]

Hello all!

I would like to first offer special thanks to Ms. Mod for allowing me to put this thread out here and also to all the SKMB'ers that have already gotten involved with this project.

Every year, my fan site TheDarkTower.com (http://thedarktower.com/palaver) conducts a fund raiser for the Haven Foundation. I will try to keep this short and not bore you guys but raising money for this cause is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.

The Fund Raiser goes all the way to our anniversary on 5/19 when we give a cashiers check to Haven on behalf of fans of Stephen King.

Last year, we began set our goal at $1000.00 to start and smashed it early on. Our total donation of behalf of the site was $3307.00...a number that made this community stand up and cheer when the cashiers check was mailed out and received by The Haven Foundation. There is a list of everyone that contributed on our home page (http://www.thedarktower.com)--some very big names there and we're getting them all back (plus a few more) this year.

We had games, auctions, merchandise and our climactic Giveaway at the end where everyone who participated had a chance at some great collectibles. You can see video of the drawings and what prizes were given away here (http://www.thedarktower.com/palaver/showthread.php?t=6584).

Our goal this year is $5000.00 and as I write this, we are already at $1570.00

So here is a very quick link list to all the things we have going on for our Fund Raiser this year.


Donations (http://www.thedarktower.com/palaver/showthread.php?t=6455)--please see this link to make a paypal, check or money order donation

A mere $10.00 donation gets you an entry into our main giveaway and grand prize drawing
Every $10.00 after that is an entry in to the main giveaway
Only one entry per member for the Grand Prize drawing


!!Coming Soon!!--our list of 25 highly collectible items for the big Giveaway--we'll be paryting with more video's and an even cooler set up. :rock:
Auctions (http://www.thedarktower.com/palaver/DTbay.php)--watch our banner and this thread for auctions on great collectibles at very reasonable prices

Members who donated the items get sale equivalent in entries
Buyer will receive one entry per auction purchase


The DT.com Store (http://www.cafepress.com/growbag)--Very good deals on original fan art and TDT.com merchandise. 100% of the very reasonable mark up goes to The Haven Foundation
All kinds of fun games so everyone has a chance at a giveaway entry. Totally free to join and enjoy



The staff at TheDarkTower.com believes the best thing we can do as a community is motivate eachother to give back to those in need. As a group, we can make wonderful things happen.

Please also give all you can to the new SKMB store (http://www.cafepress.com/stephenking) where you can find one of a kind items all blessed by the man himself.

Please give if you can folks and feel free to post questions in this thread.

I know from experience that this community is as giving and warm as any I have known.

Matt
Owner
TheDarkTower.com

[JohnDalglish]

Hi Matt,

Great to see you doing this again this year, a great success last year I thought.

All the best for another great fundraiser!

Long days and pleasant nights

[bopropadop]

Thank you Matt!

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. It's a worthwhile endeavor supporting those who make so much possible for our enjoyment.

[Kim L.]

This is a great site & terrific fundraiser! Thank you, Matt, for all you do.

I'm Kim L. and I approve this message

[Matticus]

Thanks you guys :love:

It really is some of the best I do. People always ask me why I get into it so much and my response is..."how could you not?"

I'm really glad it's out on the main board so people can have a look even though my hosting service is screwing me this morning. :laugh:

Seems to always work out that way. Big announcement...some kind of trouble with the site.

We do have some amazing auctions going on right now though, the chance at King collectibles is large and cheap.

[JohnDalglish]

This is a great site & terrific fundraiser! Thank you, Matt, for all you do.

I'm Kim L. and I approve this message

Hi,

If my memory serves, did not KimPossible win a signed comic last year?

Long days and pleasant nights

[Spideyman]

This is wonderful Matt. Fun, games, prizes and all to a very good cause. Wishing you reach your goal and go way beyond!!

[Matticus]

She sure did! And I was so glad to see her get it, Kim is a great supporter of these and a wonderful friend. :love:

[JohnDalglish]

She sure did! And I was so glad to see her get it, Kim is a great supporter of these and a wonderful friend. :love:

Hi,

AWMS, couldn't agree more!

Long days and pleasant nights

[Matticus]

We have three new auctions opening up on 1/27/09

Treachery #2 of 6--Signed by Jae Lee

Another copy of an amazing Illustration signed by Mark Geyer

Locke & Key by Joe Hill--Hard Back Omnibus Firs Arc

Still time for existing auctions as well.

[bookworm101]

Is it the more times you enter, the more chances you have at winning prizes? I noticed last year people would win more than one prize. Cool. I played last year and it was a blast. Great fun indeed for a worthy cause.

[Matticus]

Yep.

The giveaway itself is separate from the fundraiser. Basically giving to it earns you an entry to receive a "door prize" at our big party.

So every $10.00 you donate gets you one door prize entry. You also get them for donating collectibles, participating in auctions and games on the site and a whole bunch of other stuff so anyone who is interested can be involved.

We did have a really good time last year and this year has already been phenomenal.

[Spideyman]

Matt, will you do another "live stream" of the drawings like last year? That was a blast. Enjoyed it to the "last drop".

[Matticus]

For sure! We had so much fun doing that.

There are going to be less movies because we are only giving away the 25 most AMAZING items I have been able to collect...plus the Grand Prize of course.

Each one will be videoed and we're going to fire up the live stream right from the get go this year. We had our "This I believe..." things we were reading in the banter portion, I'm going to find another great idea for that.

Maybe Post Secrets, then have a contest for members to guess who was who. :laugh:

[Matticus]

Amazing auctions are open today, you have to be a member to bid.

But please let me know if you are REALLY interested in something, I'll get you involved without the membership.

Just check our DTbay link from the main forum page

http://www.thedarktower.com/palaver

[Matticus]

We have a fresh new set of auctions opening up.

The Years Finest Fantasy-Volume 2. This was the first appearance of The Gunslinger in hardback

Masques V--239/500 Signed Limited. This is signed by all including Clive Barker

The Stand #1 Comic--Signed by Mike Perkins (this item was graciously donated by Spideyman :love:)

A Drawing of the Three Slip Case from TheCollector

These items are fun cheap and willing to go home with you. What more could you ask for?

Check out the site, post here or PM me for more info if you are interested. As always, 100% of the auction price goes to The Haven Foundation.

[Matticus]

I'm hoping people are still looking here for information because the fundraiser is going really well this year. We have almost reached 1/2 the goal before we're at the halfway point for the fundraiser which is really good.

Almost 1000.00 raised in auctions alone!!

Not only that but the Grand Prize for our giveaway is going to have a story all on it's own. It is going to be a King collectible like no other. Remember to let me know if you would like to get involved, there are all kinds of free ways to get an entry coming down the pipeline.

[tillyn]

My first year on SKMB and will be sending a check shortly. Great idea.

[Matticus]

Thank you tillyn, its great to meet you and we appreciate any support you can give.

I believe we have officially reached the 1/2 way point at over 2500.00 raised so far.

[Kim L.]

Yay! WTG, everyone!

[Matticus]

We just had an auction sell for 140.00!!

One of our members donated a UK First of The Dead Zone. Very rare book.

I will be posting our giveaway list on thedarktower.com soon and will make sure it is also in this thread.

Thanks to all who are participating.

Also-If you have any collectible books hanging out that you would love to see go to a good cause, please PM me.

[Matticus]

Another update!

The giveaway list is just days from being published. The response to our fund raiser this year has been phenomenal. You guys will not believe the stuff that has been pledged.

So please make sure you are a part of this. You have an opportunity to own King collectibles that, in some cases, cannot be found anywhere else. It only takes $10.00 to feel really good about giving to Haven and also receiving an entry to our giveaway.

You can paypal to: havenfunds@thedarktower.com

or simply mail Cash, Check or Money Order to:

Haven Fundraiser
c/o Matt Rayne
51 Pinetree Place
Parachute CO 81635

Please make sure check or money order is Pay to the Order of TheDarkTower.com

For those of you already participating, thank you so much. I hope you win something cool. To everyone else, get in there if you can, the odds are very good you will win.

The giveaway is held every year as a way to say "thank you" to everyone that participated and I have spent the whole year so far gathering things to help everyone know how much I truly appreciate them and their donation.

Please feel free to leave any questions here thanks to Ms Mod (as always) for allowing me to promote this wonderful event here on the SKMB

[Matticus]

Watch this thread today you guys. We are announcing the Giveaway List for this year and it is nothing short of amazing.

There are items on this list that cannot be found anywhere else. Those of you who are already participating...good luck.

Those of you that haven't given any money, get your $10.00 (or more) in quick. You'll kick yourself if you don't have a chance at some of these items.

Matt

[Matticus]

Okay, here we go you guys. I am going to do these in a few posts so I don't go over the text limit.

Please keep in mind that you can see pictures and deeper descriptions on each item by visiting our 2009 Giveaway Thread (http://www.thedarktower.com/palaver/showthread.php?t=7662)

Items are from smallest to largest (most collectible)


24 - Colossal Book Pack
* Terminal Frights--Hard back edition
* Café Purgatorium--Hard back edition
* Thrillers 2--Hard back edition
* Currency of Souls--Edited by Kealan Patrick Burke--Signed Limited 42/750
* Night Visions--Signed Limited all--215/250
* Where's Bin Laden--Signed by Shane Stanley--67/150
* Havoc Swims Jaded--David J Schow
* 13 Phantasms--James P Blaylock
* Two Terrifying Tales of Terrible Tots--Signed by Angela hawkes
* Vampyrrhic --Signed Limited of 100--by all
* Serpent Girl--Advanced Uncorrected Proof--Signed
* Midnight Premiere--Signed Limited
* Number Twenty One to Pennsilvania--Signed Limited
* Knuckles & Tales--Signed Limited
* Shivers IV Paperback
* Halloween and Other Seasons-Signed by Al Sarranto
* The Spaces Between the Lines-Signed by Peter Crowther
* Plus Others!

23 - King Book/Gift Pack
· Hardback From a Buick 8--ISBN 0-7432-1137-5
· Popup Book--The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
· DVD-Hearts in Atlantis
· DVD Desperation
· Carrie--Soft Cover Collectors Edition. Poor condition
· Creepshow Comic-Plume 1982
· Christine bumper sticker
· Cell-First Edition
· Gunslinger Born Comics-1-7
· Cell-First Edition
· The Stephen King Story by George Beahm
· TV Guide May 7-13 Stephen King's The Stand
· The Talisman PB
· The Shining-Double Day Hardback
· The Tommyknockers-Putnam Hardback
· Firestarter-Viking (black book)
· Carrie--HC (Redbook)
· Salems Lot-Intro by Clive Barker
· The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon Scribner HB
· The Waste Lands Viking
· The Good, The Bad and The Ugly-Bev Vincent
· King etc. SC
· Pet Sematary-Hodder and Stoughton HB
· Different Seasons-Soft Cover
· Bachman Books - Soft Cover
22 - Dark Tower Ring - Sterling Silver 925
Size 8 - Not plated or bonded

[Matticus]

21 - Lisey's Story-Advanced Readers Edition

20 -Amazing King Comic Pack!--All Issues of Marvel's The Dark Tower to the moment of the Giveaway Drawing
· The Gunslinger Born -- Full Arc
· The Long Road Home -- Full Arc
· Treachery -- Full Arc
· Fall of Gilead -- Issues up to the draw date

19 -We're All in This Together--By Owen King
Signed at The Three Kings Event in DC

18 -Treachery #2--Signed by Jae Lee at our Vegas Gathering

17--Wizard and Glass-Advanced Review Copy

16 The Stand Portfolio--A portfolio of Illustrations by Berni Wrightson

15 -Illustraded Stephen King Book--Soft Cover--Signed by Bev Vincent-Glenn Chadbourne-and Brian Freeman

[Matticus]

14-Ned Damerons Waste Lands portfolio--includes signed end paper

13-The Stephen King Universe-
A guide to the world of Stephen King-Slipcased Edition Signed by all

12 -Ink preliminary drawing for the cover for Stephen King: The Non Fiction from Cemetery Dance-Signed by Alan M Clark

11 - Mark Geyer Signed Illustration

10--Joe Hill Book Pack--Includes a signed copy of Heart Shaped Box and 20th Century Ghosts

9-Just After Sunset-Slipcased Edtion
Includes DVD

[Matticus]

8-Original Artwork by Mike Perkins (specifically for our fund raiser)

7-Original Artwork by Glenn Chadbourne (specifically for our fund raiser)

6 - Little Sisters of Eluria, Artist's Edition #2438/4000

5 -Secretary of Dreams-Slipcased Gift Edition-Signed by Glenn Chadbourne -this includes a remarque and tee shirt (XXL)

4-A Life in Cinema--
Signed by Stephen King
Written by Mick Garris

3-The Talisman & Black House Gift Set
# PC of 3500

2-The End of the Road - Signed by Michael Whelan #99/99

1 - Little Sisters of Eluria, Artist's Edition with remarque
#AC of 4000


There is also a Grand Prize that has been announced on my site. Bottom of the list in the thread listed above.

Please let me know here if you have any questions.

[Matticus]

**Sorry Ms. Mod---one more**

I also wanted to announce that our 2009 fund raiser has officially exceeded the total amount collected from last year.

We collected $3307.00 last year and are well on our way to $5000.00 for 2009 http://www.thedarktower.com/palaver/images/smilies/rock.gif

[Matticus]

I'm really pushing it here. :laugh:

Another information post. I wrote a Grand Prize Journey post over on the site and wanted to copy it here. Also, here is the Grand Prize itself.


I figured I would put up a history of the Grand Prize so that people can read where we are now and also keep track of it's future movements. It still has a lot of miles to cover.

I will start by giving my deepest thanks to wizardsrainbow for helping me out with this, as you will soon see, he is much of the reason why we have it at all.

Right after our Vegas Gathering, my thoughts were free to turn towards the Fund Raiser. I don't have to tell anyone here that getting an actual King signature on an item outside his normal routine is almost impossible. I think everyone should take a moment to reflect on how incredible LUCKY we are that Sai King will sign our Grand Prize this year and also what a wonderfully generous man he is for doing it.

So my first step was to contact Ms. Mod on The Stephen King Message board. Obviously we need a moment of consideration for her as well. Ms. Mod does not have to help us with this and gets 1000's of requests for this kind of thing. She trusted us last year and is trusting us again this year. Her help and support on this fundraiser has been more than I could ever imagine. So when we are thanking Sai King and all the powers that be, we need to keep her in mind as well.

I think we can honor them both by protecting this amazing gift and hoping that whoever wins it will take it as the cherished collectible it is, then be buried with it.

Ms. Mod was open to helping us again so the question became "what" the prize should be. My experience at the Gathering had made me realize many of these people (like Jae Lee) were very approachable. That's when I noticed my Long Road Home Omnibus and had an idea.

Why not get everyone involved in that thing to sign? Is it possible?

I knew something like that would create a very unique collectible that would only exist for our fundraiser so it fit that bill, it is also a current thing happening with Sai King so that is even better. I asked Dora, Aaron and Hannah what they thought. We were all in.

Then the logistics nightmare began. How to contact these people? Obviously we had SK and I felt very good about Jae Lee. Turtlex clued us in on the NYC Con and the fact that Peter David and Robin Furth would be there. wizardsrainbow bought a ticket and went for me even though he had never been to a comic con before. I'll let him tell that side of the story.

Once the book came back, he was able to get it to Jae Lee who signed it. Pressure was on for Richard I. as he is hard to get a hold of but at the last minute, wizardsrainbow received word from him that he would sign it. The book is now on it's way too him.

We missed Robin Furth at the con and she lives over seas. Ms Mod was able to contact her for us and she graciously agreed to sign the item for us. Once it's back from Richard I. --we will send it across the pond and when it returns, Ms. Mod will get it for SK's signature. Thus creating one of the most amazing collectibles in the world.

Jae Lee put in a sketch--we may get more of that.


Grand Prize


http://www.thedarktower.com/2009f/TLRH GP.jpg


The Long Road Home
Deluxe Edition Omnibus


Signed by:
* Stephen King
* Robin Furth
* Richard Isanove
* Peter David
* Jae Lee--also added sketch

This is the only copy of this edition in existence signed by all contributing parties!!

-Many thanks to wizardsrainbow in helping me get this item-

[Matticus]

Just wanted to show this sketch of the CK that Jae Lee did for our Grand Prize shown above.

We may ge more in there.

http://www.thedarktower.com/2009f/Grand Prize 1.JPG

[Matticus]

Hmmm...surprised there hasn't been a little more hubub about this. Some of the amazing collectibles can not be had anywhere else!

Remember you guys, a mere $10.00 donation gets you an entry into our Giveaway. We have been given permission by the GM of The Stanley Hotel to film the giveaway there. It's going to be amazing!

Our last item has been announced. It was generously donated by Emmanuel at veryfinebooks.com

https://www.veryfinebooks.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/deadzone2.png

A unique leather bound Stephen King collectible book from Easton Press.

Luxuriously bound in full genuine leather with 22 kt gold accents.

Includes black matching slipcase. Your book will be As New - Sealed in the original shrink-wrap.


Norwalk, CT. Easton Press. Stephen King "The Dead Zone" 2004 Re-issue genuine black leather hardcover. 426 pps. 12mo - over 6¾" - 7¾" tall. Easton Press "Collector’s Edition" illustrated by Jill Bauman. Collector's notes and unattached bookplate included. Includes matching "The Dead Zone" designer slipcase, black with gold lettering.



Includes all the classic Easton Press qualities:

* Premium Leather
* Silk Moire Endleaves
* Distinctive Cover Design
* Hubbed Spine, Accented in Real 22KT Gold
* Satin Ribbon Page Marker
* Gilded Page Edges
* Long-lasting, High Quality Acid-neutral Paper
* Smyth-sewn Pages for Strength and Durability
* Beautiful Illustrations

[rose key]

Hi Matt,
Isn't there a link to where I can make a credit card payment on your site? I don't want to send my credit card info in an e-mail. (no pay-pal) I would like to participate, but I couldn't find a place to make a payment. When I click on that link you gave to donate, I come up with an e-mail.:eek2:
When is the contest over? I might have to send in a money order.

[Matticus]

Hey Rose--

I actually do not have credit card payments on the site. I may find a way to do that for next year. So sorry for the inconvenience.

A MO is perfect if you still want to get in. Please make it payable to:

TheDarkTower.com

You can send it to:

Haven Fundraiser
c/o Matt Rayne
51 Pinetree Place
Parachute, CO 81635

Thanks so much!

[Matticus]

Eeek!!

So much info coming out fast these days.

Thanks to information from a very good friend. I have contacted Jill Bauman and she said she would sign this edition of The Dead Zone posted above. (plus a sketch).

Very nice person.

[MyLife4YouSK]

Hey Matticus!

I am addressing my donation right now! Is just to:Haven Fundraiser,
51 Pinetree Place
Parachute, CO 81635

OK? I saw a C/O line that didn't get put on my envelope.


And the prizes are amazing! is #23 and #24 all going to ONE person each? Cuz that's insane, in a GOOD way! But wouldn't it be better to spread those two prizes out to more people?
Just a thought! Glad to hear it's raised over 5 thou thus far., too cool.

Long days.... CJ

[Matticus]

Hey CJ--thanks for posting. I love answering questions in this thread.

So far this year we have had over 30 auctions on our site for individual books so I thought a great idea for a prize would be to bunch a pack up. My house is literally overflowing with donated books...our members gave an astounding 110 individual items so far. The Giveaway List is the best of the best, so it made sense to create some book packs.

It's okay if the address on the envelope does not include "c/o Matt Rayne" as long as the Pay to the Order line on the MO or check is "TheDarkTower.com". If it's Pay to the Order of The Haven Foundation, I'll just send it straight to them with the big check.

<--can't deposit items made out to The Haven Foundation into his benefit account.

Please oh please post in here if you have any questions folks, I'm really hoping some of you win an amazing prize.

[Matticus]

We have just recently achieved over 75% of our goal. Through the generosity of freelance artists, the members of TheDarkTower.com and this board, we are sure to make it.

Please consider this opportunity to be involved in something great and the chance to potentially win a very cool prize.

[Matticus]

Just a new announcement.

Our fund raiser recently cleared $4000.00 and with the money we have in the pipeline (commitments-auctions), we are going to make our goal and more!

The fund raiser runs until mid May so we have plenty of time to really blow the doors off this thing. With this years fundraiser we have raised over $8000.00 for Haven in two years. Everyone involved should give themselves a huge pat on the back for their efforts this year.

[Matticus]

We are now at 94.46% of our goal for this year. Still plenty of time to get involved.

Total raised so far is $4723 and we will easily make the goal. I believe our members are starting a grass roots movement to raise $6693.00 so that it combined with our $3307.00 from last would mean an even $10,000.00 raised for Haven in 2 years at TheDarkTower.com

I would love to see that but I am so proud of our accomplishment this year that it would truly be the icing on the cake.

Thanks everyone--Watch this thread for information on our Giveaway Drawing for those of you involved. We're going to hold a full on web cam party and post funny video drawing clips.

[Matticus]

Lots of news on this thing these days...up over $4800.00 now.

I posted some information about our Giveaway Party and Donation Cuttoffs, wanted to make sure it was also posted here.


We finally have the details worked out for some of this stuff so I'm going to put the info out there.

Our fund raiser will officially end at 2PM EST on Saturday May 16th 2009

That night, we will be having a live web party so folks can comment on the drawing videos.

The drawing videos will be filmed all that day and posted in time for the party.

Party will begin at 10PM EST

I will provide a link to the live broadcast in this post as soon as I have it set up.


Cut Off Times for Donations--

Monetary donations through check or MO will be accepted through mail delivery on Friday May 15th. If it's not here by then, it doesn't get considered in the drawing.

Paypal donations will be accepted up to 2:00PM EST on Saturday the 16th.

Any donations received after the cut off time will be sent to the Haven Foundation, just not considered in our giveaway.

Book donations will need to be received no later that May 2, 2009 so I have time to auction them. Any book donations received after that day will be in storage for next year.

Thanks for all the help you guys, this is going to be great.

[Matticus]

Thanks to the love and generous support of our members at TheDarkTower.com...members of the SKMB, a slew of freelance artists, Ms. Mod and Stephen King himself, we have now achieved our goal of raising $5000.00 for the Haven Foundation this year.

We are not stopping but making this goal means the world to me and I really appreciate everyone here that is involved. You are all beautiful and wonderful people.

[Merlsmom]

Yea!!! Congrats Matticus for making the goal. I know I feel good being a part of it as others, undoubtedly, do too. What a worthwhile cause.

[Kim L.]

Way to go, Matticus!

[Moderator]

On behalf of The Haven Foundation, many many thanks to Matticus and all who have donated so far to help provide grants for those in need.

[Matticus]

Thanks you guys, I am literally beside myself with joy today.

It just feels good you know? I work in a bank and it's great but I don't feel like I'm ever making a difference. I always knew I was with my kids and now there is this.

Goes a long way to making a person feel like they are actually contributing to humanity.

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

Congrats, Matt, great news!

AWMMS.

Long days and pleasant nights

[hipmamajen]

OK, now I'm starting to question my literacy skills. I don't know how I missed this thread until now!

I'm on it...

[Matticus]

I got your donation Jen--thanks so much.

Keep an eye on this thread for all kinds of news coming out over the next month.

[hipmamajen]

Keep an eye on this thread for all kinds of news coming out over the next month.

Will do, now that I know it's here! :rolleyes: Sheesh!

Now I'm going to go peek all over SKMB and make sure I'm not missing anything else...

[dividedgrlofmine]

Congratulations on reaching the goal!
Good luck in continuing!
I hope to be able to do my part and donate very soon.

:biggrin2:

[Matticus]

We would love anything you can give divided...

We are well over the goal now and still getting stuff in, but it ends May 16th!

Thanks for thinking of us.

[Matticus]

We will be having a live broadcast of our party the evening of May 16th. All are invited to watch the festivities.

By the time the party starts, all of the giveaway drawing videos will have been shot and uploaded on to youtube so we can all have fun watching them.

This whole site is invited so come by if you want to

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/haven-fundraiser-2009

[Matticus]

Our Fund Raiser just crossed $5800.00!!!

We are still going strong in this last week. If we make 6693.00, TheDarkTower.com will have given an even $10,000.00 over two years to The Haven Foundation :love:

[Matticus]

Oh Crikey!

I also meant to give special thanks to Mike Perkins for his help and generosity. Very nice person.

Sorry for the extra post there Ms. Mod. :wub:

[MyLife4YouSK]

Darn, I have to work Sat night. How long will this be viewable ? :)

[Matticus]

The live party will not be recorded but the actual drawing video's will be on the site all year.

We are going to try and do something very fun this year, it's cheesy but hopefully a little bit funny :laugh:

Up over $5800.00 now. Auctions in the pipe line add up to it being over $6000.00 when we get done. I'm floored!! (and a little exhausted)

[Spideyman]

Do you really think you can out do last year:blush: That last drawing was something to behold!

[Matticus]

:laugh:

We were so glad people enjoyed that, it was not very well planned and we thought we might be highly uninteresting. But it turned out great!

If anyone is interested in watching the ones from last year, they are here (http://www.thedarktower.com/palaver/showthread.php?t=6584).

Our goal this time is get out in the beautiful Colorado out of doors and possibly re inact some scenes from the books. <ninja>

Ms Mod: You are welcome to unpin this thread after tomorrow if you would like--I will bump it often with information until the check is received. Thanks so much for the support and help.

[Matticus]

We had our drawing and the fund raiser is all over for this year. I'll post a final number when all the payments are in.

We had our partners-Aaron Jensen and Hannah O'Connor up for an amazing party. We've been friends for years but barely ever get to see each other as the rocky mountains separate us. We reenacted some great King skits for the drawing videos.

You can see them all here (http://www.thedarktower.com/palaver/showthread.php?t=8242) and here (http://www.thedarktower.com/palaver/showthread.php?t=8244) if you would like to watch. Guests can view the site all they like so don't feel like you have to sign up.

Our very own Spideyman won a really cool illustration of the electric chair from The Green Mile...signed by Mark Geyer. :love:

Thanks for all the support this year you guys, it was an amazing success.

[Matticus]

The final number has been posted

I'm going to milk the database for every stat I can but the big one is TheDarkTower.com will donate...

$6115.00 to Haven for our Fund Raiser this year.

That is 122.3% over the goal.

Our total donated to Haven over two years is $9422.00

An amazing feat by any standard. We have to outdo ourselves again next year so I'm going to take a short break and get right back to it.

Love you all!

Matt

[hipmamajen]

Wow! That's so cool! Yay!

:)

[Matticus]

I got our Grand Prize back in the mail. It has now been signed by Jae Lee, Peter David and Richard Isanove. Jae and Richard also put a sketch in.

This book has already been won but it's going to be fun to track it's progress for other sigs. This is the signature page as it stands now.

http://www.thedarktower.com/gallery/data/519/medium/Grand_Prize.jpg

[Moderator]

I asked Matt's permission to post this here, too, and he gave the thumbs up. This is posted on thedarktower.com from Steve thanking all who participated in the fundraiser.


Thanks to everybody who contributed both money and energy to The Haven Foundation fundraiser. To-date, we have helped almost two dozen freelance artists who continue to do good work in the face of adversity – sometimes more horrible than we can or want to imagine. Nobody else is doing this work, but we are. I am proud to be a part of it, and I am proud of all of you. And one more good thing has come of this: I will not be sending my friend, Pennywise, after any of you this year!

Best wishes,

Steve King

[Matticus]

You guys totally ROCK Marsha, thank you for this.

And thank you Mr. King.

I'll take the opportunity to go off on a fan boy rant. :D

I'm 40 years old and have been a fan since my early teens. While I was in the Army, I read The Stand ever single night for a month while I was on all night duty. Got through it several times. My copy was also with me one night as I was mistakenly bombed by my fellow soldiers.

I have read every book and my dream was to find a way to get people together and get the word out about Stephen King--the greatest writer of the 20th century imo and probably the 21st too.

The site itself is a great fan place to meet and greet but it had to have a purpose. The fund raiser was born out of the need I had to motivate or point people in a direction that would be something we could all be proud of.

Thank you, this means the world to me.

[Matticus]

I wanted to bump this with a little info. First of all, our Grand Prize is off across the pond to meet Robin Furth for a sig. She is so wonderful for doing it.

Also, we completed our donation wall which is to be displayed on our Home Page for the rest of the year. Here it is! Hopefully you guys will recognize a few names on it.

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/4272/copiadedonationproject.jpg

[Matticus]

Wow! That looks very small here. :laugh:

Had not noticed that.

It's actually readable on the home page of the site.

Feel free to view it there if you like. TheDarkTower.com (http://www.thedarktower.com)

Scroll on down to see it.

[Matticus]

My wife took this picture of me with the check going out to Haven tomorrow.

http://www.thedarktower.com/gallery/data/500/medium/check.jpg

[Matticus]

Okay...I'm blown away. The following is a post and pictures from my website.

I will be the first to tell you what happened to me is impossible. But it did and I am beside myself with happiness. I almost started a "Ms. Mod Appreciation" social group today because I know she helps ALL of us from time to time.

We should consider ourselves lucky to have such a lovely person as a friend. And special thanks to Stephen King of course. I went through Bangor Airport on my way to the Gulf in the early 90's. Picked up a little soldier that had "Bangor" on his base so I would always remember. I still have it.

Here is the post--

This is going to be a long post you guys. Anyone who get's through it, I appreciate that. Tonight has been one of the most exciting...exhilarating nights of my life.

I won't go into details on my day so we'll just say it was rough. After 12 years at a job I never really wanted, it's easy to feel unappreciated. Most of that is probably me.

So I'm on the porch, commiserating to Dora about how the entire world is against me...she says she knows how bad it was and that she bought me a gift.

(What is inside is a secret here, she didn't buy it)

The rest of the story will be told in pictures below.

I have spoken to both Jerome and Karen about this wonderful gift. There are so many cool things about it, the list is overwhelming.

* This is a 1st of THE GUNSLINGER!! (seriously )
* This is a copy of this book that a good friend of mine has owned and loved for many years. He is trusting it me. Such a beautiful gift, thank you Jerome
* This copy has a slick as **** dust jacket on it from another amazing friend. I can't tell you how much this means to me Karen
* This is a copy that has an amazing story attached to it that I hope will be told by Jerome, Karen and Dora.
* The last one is a surprise

So I get home and I get the gift. It had a wonderful letter from Jerome in it describing the book and letting me know it's history. This was the first I knew of the gift and I thought it was wonderful! Obviously still smoking but it's less and on the porch

The book was as advertised in the letter! A beautiful copy 1st/1st of The Gunslinger that had been in Jerome's collection for over 20 years. It was without dust jacket so Karen was sweet enough to provide one.

Seriously amazing people. I've only had a few cool things done for me in my life and this is now second. (Dora is first, the kids and saving my life and all...guy who woke me up in the Army when the tent was collapsing just went to third )

<---giddy

http://www.thedarktower.com/collections/Pic3.jpg

So Dora says I should open it and I do...that's when I saw what was inside.

http://www.thedarktower.com/collections/Pic5.jpg


The last cool thing about this book is that they were able to get it personalized by Stephen King himself (I can still barely even think that much less type it)... <faints again>

I'm an emotional man, and this put me over the edge. It was too overwhelming.

http://www.thedarktower.com/collections/Pic6.jpg

I know that Marsha had a lot to do with this, I let her know how much it means to me. Raising money for the Haven Foundation has real meaning to me. It is like no work at all...this book, to a guy like me, it's not something I can easily wrap my mind around.

For fun, here's my grand daughter Lily concerned for Grandpa

http://www.thedarktower.com/collections/Pic7.jpg

A close up of the inscription to me. It's mind blowing in the best way possible.

http://www.thedarktower.com/collections/Pic8.jpg


Jerome and Karen, I love you guys. No s**t.

And my sweet Dora, you are so sweet and coy.

I say I don't know what to say and then I type for two days. This is really wonderful

And lastly thank you Stephen King. I can't imagine you might read this somewhere but I have never imagined you would ever do something like this for me...so amazing things do happen.

Matt

[Kim L.]

Matticus, that's just fantastic! You well deserve it for all your hard work and your total coolness :cool2: Congratulations!
PS You've got a great wife and terrific friends!

[JohnDalglish]

Hi,

That's really wonderful, Matt, and I can't think of a nicer or more deserving guy.

Thankee for sharing it in your post, and the great pics (Lily's a sweetie!).

Long days and pleasant nights

[Spideyman]

Matt that is so awesome. Those are great friends. It was well deserved Matt. You gave so much of yourself to the Fund Raiser. Treasure that gift:smile2:

[Matticus]

Thank you John and Kim that baby is so sweet.

I have decided to give that sweet baby the book when I go, she was right there when I got it and I feel like it will always be something special between us. :love:

[rose key]

Matt, that story and the pictures are so moving. Thanks for letting us share in your joy. You are truly deserving of this, and I am so happy for you!

:love:

[Matticus]

I'm so sorry Marsha, I did the thanks and then just had to type.

I want you guys to know that I am still carrying this feeling of bliss around with me. It's funny how much something like this can make you realize what's important in life. It's the book and the sig and it's also the people. The people level is a part of this that is keeping me so very warm inside. I love it.

So thank you everyone...thanks for being you.

[Gallina]

That's wonderful Matticus! I am very happy for you!!!

[Matticus]

I received this message from Robin Furth this morning concerning our grand prize (there was another book for a friend included)


Hi! They arrived safely! I was going to email you this afternoon!

I'll sign and get them back to you really soon! Sorry about the delay.

I hope all is well with you!

Take care! (And by the way, I'm happy to do this!)

All the best,
Robin
:)