The Ink Well Foundation

Those that know me or follow this blog know that I have a soft spot for kids. Previously I have let you know about kid-related charities such as the Ace Bailey Children's Foundation and Aid for Aidan.

Today I would like to spotlight the Ink Well Foundation. The Ink Well Foundation is a non-profit organization that is made up of professional cartoonists, illustrators and animators who share their time drawing with children who are facing illness. The goal of the Ink Well Foundation is to "let the kids draw with the very artists who create their favorite film, TV, and illustrated characters. We hope to share the power of art as self-expression, and as a good way to just take a break from trying times and have some fun!"

This talented group of artists have brightened the faces of children at places such as The Ronald McDonald House, Children's Hospital of Minnesota, New York Methodist Hospital, Gilda's Club, Bellevue Hospital, Mount Sinai Hospital and more. The artists involved "have worked on such projects as Ice Age, Robots, The Rugrats, Speed Racer, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; comic books such as Batman, Archie and Mad Magazine; as well as illustrations for New York Magazine, The New Yorker, Random House, Simon and Schuster, and many more."

In addition to organizing in-person visits, the Ink Well Foundation recently started the IWF Link and Paint Program which links artists with children who are physically unable to attend an event.

The Ink Well Foundation was founded by Elizabeth Winter who was was diagnosed with cancer as a teenager and remembers "the long nights and lonely days in the hospital and how having visitors to talk to and make me laugh made all the difference." Elizabeth is cancer free and during her career in animation has worked on Beavis and Butthead, The Rugrats, The Wild Thornberry's and others.

The list of artists who have participated is long and includes some of the people you've read about here at David Wasting Paper including, Ray Alma (Cartoonist Survey #124), Ed Steckley (Cartoonist Survey #108) and Dan Piraro (Cartoonist Survey #28).

If you are a professional cartoonist, illustrator or animator consider contacting The Ink Well Foundation to participate. Their email address is: info@inkwellfoundation.org. If you are a non-professional wannabe cartoonist like me you can still help out by making a donation through PayPal or by mailing a check made out to "The Ink Well Foundation" to:

The Ink Well Foundation

54 West 16th St. #12J

NY, NY 10011

You can also support them by purchasing a t-shirt.

Visit the Ink Well Foundation website and check out their Facebook page.