Team Cul de Sac

Chris Sparks is the driving force behind the Team Cul de Sac charity.

What's the Team Cul de Sac charity and why should you consider giving? Here's Chris with his personal story:

Dear cartoonists, comic lovers, fans of Cul de Sac and friends of Richard Thompson,

I am Chris Sparks, a designer who has been a comic fan since I was five years old.

I met Richard Thompson in 2008 at Heroescon in Charlotte, NC. I was impressed with his sense of humor and amazing art, and we quickly became friends. Or as he might say, he just keeps finding stalkers.

We kept in touch over the next year, and I was devastated when I learned Richard had Parkinson’s. I started studying about this terrible disease and found out about the Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF). I read Michael J. Fox’s book, Always Looking Up, which documents, among other things, his decision to start the foundation and the process of establishing it. His story inspired me to think of a way I could make a difference.

The next step was asking Richard what he thought of my idea.

Richard has agreed to be the poster boy for Team Cul de Sac. Here is what he had to say:

“This idea of yours for a book is very cool, and of course you have my blessing! If I can help in any way, contacts, front man, falling down for cheap comedy, anything, lemme know. From what I've seen of you, once you've got an idea you'll pursue it till it happens.”

With his blessing I formed Team Cul De Sac through TEAMFOX.

I also contacted Lee Salem, president and editor of Universal Press Syndicate to pitch my idea for doing an art book featuring original work donated by artists to raise awareness and funds for the MJFF. Andrews McMeel publishing has agreed to publish this book. I would like to thank Lee, Caty Neis and everyone at Andrews McMeel for being behind this project. Putting this book together and thereby inviting cartoonists to donate original art made especially for a book about Parkinson's awareness in Richard's honor has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life.

How can you help?

Richard said it best in his own words:

“ Team Cul de Sac would love for all you professional cartoonists, illustrators, animators or drawers to create an original drawing that mocks, celebrates or vaguely refers to any or all of the Cul de Sac characters. Why? To raise funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's research, of course!”

All the information you need is at Team Cul de Sac. Everything from size of the art, to where to ship it, and all the contact information you should need.

If, like me, you are not an artist, you can still contribute by clicking here. The other way to contribute is to share this information with anyone you think can help Team Cul de Sac.

Please feel free to email me at teamculdesac@gmail.com

A big thank you for everyone who has helped me get the team going. Keep spreading the Team Cul de Sac news!

Chris Sparks

Please consider contributing whether you're a fan or a professional cartoonist.