Usagi Yojimbo Dojo Heroes Initiative New Year’s raffle

[Maka]

Holy smokes! I can't believe the Arts-Rec shirt is still available. I promise it's never been worn.

There is only 8 more picks so any guesses when it will go?

[jabba359]

I'm also surprised the shirt has lasted this long. I thought it would go in the top half.

I'm also glad I'm not dealing with all the shipping. Looks like a lot of work!

[Maka]

I'm also glad I'm not dealing with all the shipping. Looks like a lot of work!

Says the man who help organize, pack, and ship the Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 1, Variant Covers to a ton of dojo members. And who annually (so far, it's not an expectation going forward, man ) has bought, packed, and mailed dojo members stuff from SDCC and other west coast cons.

But yes, shipping is work. It would probably go faster if I didn't write (versus type) everyone a personal note and handwrite everyone's shipping addresses. But I feel like Santa Claus. I like giving these personal touches because our dojo is such a great community. (and maybe personal touches make them more likely to pay for shipping ).

My goal is to finish shipping all the people who have given me addresses and have picked their prizes by the end of tomorrow (Saturday). I have about 14 to pack and ship for tomorrow. There are 12 additional people to ship to (7 people haven't picked their prizes and at 5 of the Get Caugh Reading/WASABI tier people haven't sent me their mailing addresses yet). I received over $250 of the $500 of the shipping costs so far from winners already. A few of them rounding up or giving a buck or two to help those who cannot pay. And not everyone has received the prizes I mailed out this week. I'm pretty hopeful most winners will pay for the shipping. Regardless, I talked with Cheryl and Julie contacted me. Together we will be able to cover whatever is leftover in shipping costs.

Regardless, this is coming to an end soon. I'm looking forward to contacting the Hero Initiative again to let them know we, the Usagi Yojimbo Dojo, the greatest fansite on the internet since the 80s raised $3286 for them and their good work. <3.

Thanks for all of you who gave your own collectibles to make this successful. And those of you who just donated money to help incentivize people buying tickets. Amazing generosity! But that is who we are. Good people who love Usagi, Stan, and the whole community. I love you folks.

Peace, maka

[maichan]

Thank you Maka!!

I wanted to say more, but didn't know what to say.

I wanted to say something meaningful, but you've already said it all.

Sometimes simple is better.

So again, THANK YOU MAKA!

[Maka]

Thank Maichan!

I feel pretty good. I only have ten more packages to mail. 6 of those, the people haven't sent me their mailing addresses yet. And three of them still have to pick their prizes. I was able to mail (with the help of Mat Allen sending his two prizes from the UK and David from Hungary sending the HUSAGI cover page art) 46 packages in seven days. I'm quite proud of myself.

I've contacted James McLauchlin to ask the best way to donate the donations to the Hero Initiative. Waiting to hear back. Once the money is transferred, I will make it official with a post on the FB UYD page.

Thanks again, awesome UYDers. We did it! You helped my little dreams come true: to raise money for a great cause, give away to our UY/Stan Sakai fans some cool collectibles, and build the UYD community ups.

With gratitude, maka

[Gaffey]

What happened to the link? It no longer works for me. Did someone finally pick the shirt or was it forced upon the last winner?

[Maka]

I unpinned it from the page. The shirt was the third to the last to picked. All the way to Canada. I mailed it yesterday. The Jei sketchcard was the next one to be picked. So Garfield was the last prize standing.

The announcement of the donation will happen tomorrow at 7 am PCT. Thanks for all your donations again, Gaffey!

Peace, maka

[Gaffey]

I'm looking forward to contacting the Hero Initiative again to let them know we, the Usagi Yojimbo Dojo, the greatest fansite on the internet since the 80s raised $3286 for them and their good work. <3.

Wow! I completely missed this. Congratulations on raising so much money. I'm glad to see your hard work paid off.

[Gaffey]

This is the first time that I've seen someone publicly announce that they received their prize. Pretty cool!

https://twitter.com/dprowe