Jimothy art auction triggers $270k in corporate giving for Ballard Food Bank
An art auction inspired by the long-legged raccoon furball thatβs known as Jimothy has snowballed into a corporate donation whirlwind thatβs now raised over $270,000 for the Ballard Food Bank.
Muralist Ryan βHenryβ Ward first painted Jimothy in mid-July, just after Jimothy became the worldβs most famous raccoon. Henry auctioned off that painting as a fundraiser for the Ballard Food Bank, selling the 24-by-24-inch artwork for $6,543 to buyer Angela Galdabini.
Amazon announced it would match that amount, and suggested other local brands should get in on the fundraiser.
According to GeekWire, ten companies joined in: Alaska Airlines, Brooks Running, Microsoft, the Seattle Mariners, the Seattle Kraken, Stanley 1913, Starbucks, T-Mobile, WaFd Bank, and Windermere Midtown. Those companies gave a combined $71,975, and Amazon has just added an extra $200,000 to the pot, making the total contribution nearly $273,000 for the Ballard Food Bank.
Henry continues to paint Jimothy-inspired artwork and partner with local nonprofits to raise money. The latest artwork is a Mariners-themed Jimothy, raising money for Bloodworks NW.
The news comes not long after the Ballard Food Bank announced it would be adding another building: The organization plans to develop an annex at 4810 15th Ave NW and renovate its existing 1400 NW Leary Way location in the coming months.
Photo: The art that started it all, by Ryan βHenryβ Ward