Adapted from the Listserv edition
Published by Arnie Katz & Joyce Katz
Special Thanks to: Robert Lichtman & Earl KempAlso available in a PDF format
Fundraising Continues on All Fronts!
The BBB Fund is a cause that has swept not only the United States but also fandom around the world. While North American fans continue to show their overwhelming support for the idea, Australian Fandom’s generosity is nothing short of inspirational. And now, with some effective prodding from Mark Plummer and Claire Brialy, UK Fandom has started to get into the spirit.Few causes have unified fandom like this one. But then few causes have had the universal appeal of the campaign to bring Bruce Gillespie to the 2005 Corflu and Potlatch conventions. It’s easy to see why: Bruce Gillespie is extraordinarily worthy of such an honor and his varied fan interests make him relevant to an unusually wide range of fans.
The fundraising drive is far from over, though. If you’ve been postponing making a contribution, now is the time to scratch a check or use PayPal (details later in this issue) so you can hold your head high when you walk among fellow fans.
Speaking of the shame of being a non-contributor, we are toying with a new money-mooching strategy. Instead of thanking those who have given, there is a suggestion that we target those who have not done so.
The proposal is that we write about each and every one of them in a highly derogatory manner. Fandom’s most savage humorists would take turns launching buzz bombs at those who have been slow to reach for their wallets.
Now, I (Arnie), ever the benevolent Trufan, have resisted this plan. I don’t know how long I can hold out, though, so you might want to shoot a few bucks to the BBB Fund just in case my stalwart defense falters under overwhelming assault.
A Message from Bruce
Informed that the Bring Bruce Bayside Fund had reached the $2,500 plateau that ensures the trip, Bruce Gillespie sent the following statement, a letter to all of those whose support have made the BBB Fund such a success.
I am moved and astonished by the support given from fans all over the world, but especially in America, Australia and Britain, to the Bring Bruce Bayside (BBB) fund. It started with suggestions from Marty Cantor and Robert Lichtman; Joyce and Arnie took up the task of collecting money; Ted White made the first donation; Bill Wright became Australian administrator; Irwin Hirsh volunteered to edit The Incompleat Bruce Gillespie, and suddenly the whole show was on the road. I've hardly had to do a thing except stand here with my jaw gaping and a silly smile on my face.Thank you, everyone who has helped raised the price of an air ticket -- the One Per Centers, the people who've bid on the auction (thanks in particular to auction organiser Robert Lichtman), the people and organisations who've made astonishingly large donations (the Conflux Committee and the Victorian Science Fiction Conventions organisation come to mind immediately; but there are quite a few others); and the people who've already bought The Incompleat Bruce Gillespie and those who will do so in the next few months.
To Joyce and Arnie, and to Bill, I owe far more than I can say. Joyce has suffered from a severe health problem almost from the day after the fund began, and that has made her life difficult and also affected Arnie's life severely; and Bill has been battling some real health problems as well. To Irwin Hirsh, and Mark Plummer and Claire Brialey, who joined the team slightly later, also many thanks and my best wishes for a continued lack of health problems.
At the beginning of this year I kept thinking to myself: ‘When will something really good happen?’ Lo and behold! it has. Thanks everyone. I'm looking forward to seeing everybody next February and March.
- Bruce Gillespie, July, 2004.
How to Send the Money:
We'll take your money in just about any form, but some ways are easier.Contributions from outside the USA should be sent in American funds, if possible. Otherwise, we'll incur some fees - but we'll happily accept what's left!
Make checks payable to: Joyce M. Katz (PMB 152, 330 S. Decatur Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89107).
PayPal Donations Can Now Be Made!
Here's how:
Go to www.paypal.com.
Choose "Send Money" and "American Funds."
Mark it for "other" (BBB Fund).
Send donation to: joyceworley1@cox.netPlease send Joyce a note saying that you've sent the donation via PayPal, and she'll check the account to see when it arrives.
The Incompleat Bruce Gillespie
Thanks to stalwart work by Irwin Hirsh, ably assisted by Bill Wright and Bruce himself, The Incomplete Bruce Gillespie is published and ready for your edification and delight.The beautiful 40-page compendium features some of Bruce Gillespie’s best personal, stfnal and fannish writings, and is profusely illustrated and impeccably printed. While the leather-bound version is not yet available to the general public, you can order the lovely one we have for $10 (cheap).
Send your orders to either Joyce Katz or Bill Wright (see below for contact info) and it will be mailed out from Australia as quickly as we can bully Bruce into posting it.
How to order from the Fund administrators:
Australia: $10 (incl. postage) to Bill Wright, Unit 4, 1 Park Street, St Kilda West VIC 3182.
USA: $10 (incl. airmail postage) to Arnie and Joyce Katz, PMB 152, 330 S Decatur Blvd, Las Vegas NV 89107.
UK: 5 pounds (incl. airmail postage) to Mark Plummer and Claire Brialey, 14 Northway Road, Croydon, Surrey CR0 6JE.
The Bottom Line
The BBB Fund, greatly aided by sales of the anthology, now exceed $3,000! The exact total is $3,027.09. That breaks down as $1,527.09 from the US and UK (in US funds) and $1,500 from Australia (in US dollars at the current rate).The US account has also earned $0.52 in interest. PayPal charges, which have not been deducted from the total, stand at $14.57.
The latest donors:
53. Mike Glyer
54. Elaine Stiles
55. Steve Stiles
The Wrap Up
Join us again very soon, when we’ll have all the latest BBB Fund news and, just possibly, a major announcement.- Arnie Katz, Las Vegas, NV