When Fanboy Comics is not providing you with the latest in geek news and entertainment, the FBC staff hopes to offer our readers a myriad of opportunities to give back to the community. We love reading comics, watching movies, and playing video games, but we are never happier than when we are able to help others in need. With Geeks Care: How You Can Help, FBC will provide you a variety of causes that would greatly appreciate your time.

The focus of this week’s edition of Geeks Care: How You Can Help was brought to the attention of the Fanboy Comics staff by Dave Kellett, the extremely talented creator behind the web comics Sheldon and Drive and the recent documentary STRIPPED.  Kellett is one of hundreds of cartoonists across the country to have participated in a collaborative fundraising art book to benefit Team Cul de Sac (TCDS), a fundraising effort led by professional web designer Chris Sparks in honor of his friend, Richard Thompson, the cartoonist behind the Cul de Sac comic strip. Thompson has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and Team Cul de Sac is endeavoring to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s disease research.  Through both the purchase of the fundraising art book and the upcoming Team Cul de Sac Drink and Draw event taking place in Charlotte, NC, you can help to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.

Five million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease – a chronic, degenerative neurological disorder. In the United States, 60,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year alone, and there is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease.  In conjunction with Team Fox, which is The Michael J. Fox Foundation’s (MJFF) grassroots community fundraising program, Team Cul de Sac endeavors to help people like Thompson who live with Parkinson’s disease. 

Published by Andrews McMeel, the collaborative fundraising art book may be purchased at most bookstores. The book has cartoons from many of Richard’s personal friends, including Kellett, Stephen Pastis (Pearls Before Swine), Sergio Aragones (Mad, Groo), Patrick McDonnell (Mutts), Pat Oliphant (Pulitzer Prize political cartoonist), Gene Weingarten and David Clark (Barney & Clyde), Mason Mastroianni (B.C.), Roger Langridge (Muppet Show comic book, Marvel’s Thor: The Mighty Avenger, Fred the Clown), Shannon Gallant (G.I. Joe), Michael Cavna (Washington Post), Steven Artley (Artleytoons), Barbara Dale and Steve Conley (Astounding Space Thrills, Bloop), and even Bill Watterson of Calvin and Hobbes fame.

For those in North Carolina, there will also be a Drink and Draw event at Heroescon on June 20, 2014, where cartoonists will be sketching on coasters which will be immediately auctioned off.  An auction of larger art pieces will also take place, depending on what is donated.  You can also purchase additional merchandise here, including signed STRIPPED posters by the aforementioned Watterson and Kellett.  All funds raised through Team Cul de Sac and Team Fox will go directly to MJFF to further its mission to accelerate the delivery of life-changing treatments, and, ultimately, a cure, to people with Parkinson’s disease.

Readers interested in learning more about Team Fox and The Michael J. Fox Foundation or in making a direct donation may do so by visiting the organization’s website.

If you have a volunteer opportunity or an important cause that could use the assistance of a few geeks, please email the details to barbra (at) fanboycomics.net.