As we enter into a New Year, we again turn our attention to one of our own. Richard Townsend, part of Studio ONY, has had a deteriorating, but manageable, condition for some time now. A month ago, this led to complications and infection – an infection that nearly cost him his life. This is something that can no longer be ignored, and treatment is the only option. His insurance will only cover part of the payments, and with the expenses of moving their family so recently, money is tight. We here at Anime Twin Cities and Anime Detour have again decided it is time for us to help. We are looking to raise $10,000 dollars in order to cover his medical expenses, the shortfall of their insurance.

As before, we are asking not one person to do it all. Instead, we are asking everyone, in the spirit of the moment, to help us meet this goal. Last year we had 4,500 attendees – if everyone could find just a few spare dollars, we could exceed this goal handily, and it is our hope that we will.

Richard Townsend is a wonderful and vibrant part of our community. He and Shannon Townsend, along with the entirety of Studio ONY, have given us Otaku-No-Yen, a beloved webcomic, and many great memories. They are a part of our family, and when family is in trouble, you do everything you can.

And when it’s over, we will continue to grow the Community Fund, in the hopes that it will one day be growing at a rate steady enough that when someone is in trouble, the money will already be there. That we won’t need to ask, because your generosity will have already made it possible.

You showed us you cared with Japan. You showed us you cared with Greg Ayres. We want to show Richard and Shannon that same depth of spirit, too. The kindness you have shown to both us and the world staggers and humbles us, and we are so honored to be a part of your community.

It’s the New Year – let’s give the Townsends something they’ll remember always.

Many more Happy New Years.

We are closer to our goal than ever! An amazing member of our community has stepped up and offered to add five thousand dollars to the drive IF we can reach the first five thousand. That’s right! One person has stepped in and offered to meet us half way – and as always, your donations are crucial! If you’ll forgive the redundancy, we’re over halfway to the halfway mark! We’re so close to helping one of the members of our community you can almost feel it – so if you can, please give! And if you can’t, please tell everyone you can! Together we can do this. Together we can do anything.

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