CcTC Spookatcular 2010

CLICK HERE TO SEE A SLIDE SHOW OF THE PCS SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN BAGS

As I have listed here in past years, the Philadelphia Cartoonist Society are always very generous with their time and art when it comes to worthwhile charitable causes. We've had a tradition of making these trick or treat bags for the kids at the CcTC (The Children's Crisis Treatment Center) now for over ten years.

In the past four or five years, these bags have become part of the 2010 CcTC Spooktacular, sponsored by Charette, the AIA Philadelphia and students of CHAD (Charter High School for Architecture & Design). The Spooktacular event provides kids at the CcTC (The Children's Crisis Treatment Center) a place to trick or treat and have a safe and happy Halloween.

This year, we had to spread out, but still got the job done. Along with the aid of family and friends, we completed 100 bags. Members and friends who worked on the project this year include: Christine Larsen, Andrew Hart, Melissa Lomax, Scott Derby, Dave Perillo, Christian Patchell, Tom Whalen, Val Costanzo, Kyle Margiotta, Joannie Newton, Brandon Heary, Valerie Deaton, Christine Venturis, Ben Cady, Jenny Drumgoole (and her students at Rowan University), and myself.

Making these bags every year reminds me that holidays can be fun, happy times even though I'm an adult. Just because we can't reap the benefits the way that kids do, there is no reason to leave behind the excitement and joy you can feel this time of year.

Special Thanks to Erike De Veyra for coordinating a great deal of the PCS end of this event.

I will make my tomorrows...

In 1998, a jazz musician named Doug took me to the Children's Crisis Treatment Center of Philadelphia. Doug went there every month to play music for the kids. When I visited, he played and I did a cartooning lesson with them. The kids at CcTC have been through really serious trauma. But what amazes me about those kids is that their primary inclination, their instinct, is to run and play and smile. In spite of all of their trouble, all they wanted to do was be happy. That made me realize that people are fundamentally good. And it's only when we grow older and hard times come our way that we get jaded, angry, depressed, and disappointed.

That one visit to CcTC made me reevaluate my life. If these kids were smiling in spite of all the bad that life has thrown at them, then what right do I have to complain? I kept going to CcTC over the years. My first comic, "Petey" was a tribute to the kids at CcTC. I was even asked to sit on the initial Executive Committee of the "Friends of CcTC". I'm not typing this to brag. I just want to shed some light on an amazing organization that helps the neediest of Philly's kids. CcTC is truly a place of healing. The people who work there are no less that miracle workers in my opinion. Please click here to visit their web site and learn more. I will be posting other CcTC related work over the next few months.

SPOOKTACULAR with the PHILADELPHIA CARTOONIST SOCIETY

On more than one occasion, the Philadelphia Cartoonist Society (PCS) has saved my life. It is a group of constantly working, big-hearted professionals who always make time for fun, charity and friends. It is a real brotherhood/sisterhood, and I am glad to stand up as one of them and be counted.

Every year, we engage in certain charity events as a group. Often, we try to work with the Children's Crisis Treatment Center of Philadelphia (click here to find out more about CcTC). They are an amazing organization that has been helping abused and traumatized kids in Philly for over 30 years. Local architects graciously run an annual event called the "Spooktacular", where they design and build a small town inside the Children's Crisis Treatment Center and give out candy, giving CcTC's kids a safe place to trick or treat. The PCS is also a contributor to this annual event by drawing hand-made trick or treat bags for every kid who comes to the Spooktacular.

Last Sunday, a small crew of PCS members got together out at PCS Co-founder Andrew Hart's house and drew 75 bags for this year's event. Artists in attendance this year were Andrew Hart, Christine Larsen, Dave Perillo, Chris Patchell, Kyle Margiotta, myself, and Andrew's baby boy Oliver. Have a look at some of the fun and the bags from this year's Halloweenie drawing marathon. Look below or CLICK HERE TO SEE MORE: