Pandemic Fundraising
NewCon Press has published anthology Stories of Hope and Wonder, with all proceeds going to UK healthcare workers dealing with COVID-19. For more: <www.newconpress.co.uk/info/book.asp?id=164&referer=Catalogue>.
The #Creators4Comics fundraising effort made $433,166 to help bookstores and comic shops impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Comics creators auctioned off materials for the Book Industry Charitable Foundation, with more than 635 individual auctions held. Writer Kami Garcia was one of the original organizers. She says, ‘‘Comic shops and indie bookstores have supported so many of us. They aren’t just places where we buy books and comics. These stores are places where we find belonging.’’ Her co-organizers were Brian Michael Bendis, Gwenda Bond, Sam Humphries, and Phil Jimenez. Creators taking part included Cassandra Clare, Neil Gaiman, Joe Hill, Marissa Meyer, Margaret Stohl, G. Willow Wilson, and scores of others. For more: <www.creators4comics.com>.
Patrick Rothfuss’s charity Worldbuilders launched Geeks 4 HOPE, a week-long fundraiser for Project HOPE, an organization that supports healthcare workers by providing equipment and training. Geeks 4 HOPE raised $21,000 on their first day, and made over $48,000 total. Events included ‘‘live-streamed interviews, discussions, performances, and more with authors, artists, and gamers hosted by the Worldbuilders staff.’’ Rothfuss said, ‘‘So… the world is burning. We’re all scared. Every day is a struggle… and for me a huge part of that struggle is wishing I could do more to help than simply isolate myself and hoard canned goods…. I’m excited to give our community a way to come together and provide support for the people who need it most in places where they’re fighting the hardest.’’ For more: <geeks4hope.com>.
Author Rick Riordan and his wife Becky Riordan announced plans to match up to $100,000 in contributions in the #SaveIndieBookstores fundraising campaign.
Amazon donated £250,000 to the Book Trade Charity’s campaign to support independent bookstores in the UK. Though the donation was initially anonymous, Amazon revealed its involvement to ‘‘quash mounting speculation.’’
Employees laid off from Half Price Books have launched a fundraising campaign to raise $250,000, with funds to ‘‘be distributed to laid off employees upon application for aid. From helping with the weekly grocery shopping to paying rent or medical bills, this fund is a mutual aid resource. We will take care of our own, and we thank you for any assistance you can provide.’’ Half Price laid off (or fired) 2,146 of their 3,000 employees in April, reportedly terminating health insurance for many fired employees immediately, despite claims to the contrary. The employees have so far raised under $2,000. For more: <www.gofundme.com/f/half-price-books-layoffs-relief-fund>.
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