what we have achieved in 2004

2004 was the year of the Oscar Sweep for Peter Jackson and the Return of the King. Billy’s Loons Charities(BLC) also participated in the Oscar fun by having our own special Oscar trophy made for Billy. It read: Best Supporting Actor, Billy Boyd, The Return of the King. This Oscar was taken to TheOneRing.Net(TORn) Oscar party and entrusted to one of the founders of TORn to personally deliver to Billy backstage after he arrived at the TORn party from the Oscar ceremony in Hollywood.

In March, BLC held an Ebay auction for an originally designed tote bag from our online shop that was autographed by Billy and Andy Serkis. This auction raised $235.00, of which $100. was donated in Billy’s name to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the United Kingdom, and $155. was donated to Help the Aged, an international charity.

April was a good month for BLC as we auctioned Andy Serkis’ book: The Lord of the Rings Gollum, How we made movie magic, autographed by Andy, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Ngila Dickson, Barrie Osborne, and Howard Shore. The winning bid of $355. was sent to Help the Aged.

Early in 2004, the word went out to the Loons about the Birthday Book that BLC wanted to give Billy for his 36th birthday, August 28. Throughout the next months, very artistic, creative and original pages began arriving at the home of the Loony Staff Leader from all over the world. The plan was to send the completed book to Billy’s agent to forward to him. However, it was announced that Billy would be attending ComicCon in San Diego, California on July 22-25.

Several Loons were able to talk with Billy for a few minutes and give him the completed Birthday Book. The finished Book consisted of 75 pages of varying content, including poems, limericks, drawings, collages, postcards, and just about anything an imaginative Loon could put on a page! Billy was very happy with the book and thanked everyone for all of their hard work putting it together.

Also in July, BLC participated in a tree care event with Project-Monaghan and TreePeople of Los Angeles. This was held at the Salvin Special Education Center in Los Angeles. We learned how to properly oxygenate the soil, remove competitive grasses, weeds and other interfering plants, and how to lay mulch so that it wouldn't harm the tree (mulch too close to the trunk can cause fungus and tree rot). These trees do not have access to the Forest Eco-system and many can not survive the first 5-7 years without human assistance. As you may know, Project Monaghan's main theme is to follow Dominic Monaghan's example in helping to plant and care for more trees.

In August, BLC started supporting Operation Iraqi Children(OIC), a charity that sends basic school supplies to Iraq's children. Billy’s fans got involved by putting together school kits, per OIC’s instructions and sending them to their headquarters in Kansas City, KS where they were then forwarded to children attending newly opened schools in Iraq.

Billy’s Loons Charities’ next auction was a Ringers:Lord of the Fans movie Stein signed by the Production team of Ringers, Sala Baker, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, David Wenham, and Rick Porras. The winning bid was $152.50 and this was split evenly between BLC and Project-Monaghan per the request of person who donated the Stein. $76.25 was used to help purchase school supplies for OIC. By the end of the year, 38 school kits had been sent to OIC.

In September, BLC auctioned a lovely shirt designed by our own Mystica, celebrating the World Tour of Pippin Doll and Disco Stu! Billy Boyd autographed the shirt at ComicCon in San Diego on July 24, 2004. The winning amount of $152.50 was donated to Operation Iraqi Children.

Billy’s Loons Charities own special plush bear from our Online Shop, autographed by Billy Boyd, David Wenham, and Dominic Monaghan was auctioned in November. The winning bid of $315. was donated to Help the Aged.

The last couple months of the year found the Loons busily working on a 2005 customized calendar to give to Billy for Christmas. Knowing that Billy was attending The One Ring Celebration in Pasadena, CA, Jan. 14-16, 2005, the calendar and several other Christmas gifts were kept until the time to give to Billy.

Total 2004 donations raised by Billy’s Loons Charities was $1,326.00, including the commissions from our Online Shop.

The staff of Billy’s Loons Charities gives many thanks to those who donated items for auction, Lindsay, Cathy, and Rachie! We would also like to thank the wonderful Loon community for its continued support and wonderful generosity!