Through "Calling All Angels", fulfilling a dream of his late friend and sculptor, James Farris, has become the dream and mission of Charles Cross and The Appledrum Group.
With a campaign launch date of October 1, Indiegogo...the leading international crowdfunding platform...and The Appledrum Group, run by Mr. Cross, will present "Calling All Angels", the work of Mr. Farris, who, after only two months of being aware that he was ill with pancreatic cancer, passed away on December 17, 2010.
"While under the care of the Phoenix Veterans Administration Health Care System, James' end-of-life care was enhanced in immeasurable ways...and it is both poetic and appropriate that his life's work go toward repaying that generosity. The campaign will promote the important role of those who have chosen end-of-life care as their calling," stated Mr. Cross.
The Indiegogo campaign, "Calling All Angels", features "The Angel Trilogy", bronze sculpture; and, the likeness of each angel in jewelry, known collectively as, "An Angel Affair".
"The Angel Trilogy" is comprised of Guardian I, Guardian II, and Guardian III...each a 1/3 scale sculpture in bronze. Each Guardian is available in an edition of 250, and is inscribed with the signature of James Farris; the completion date of the sculpture; and the number in the edition.
"Calling All Angels" is fortunate to have as the foundry for the creation of "The Angel Trilogy" in bronze, Artworks Foundry, located in Berkeley, California, under the direction of owner, Piero Mussi.
"An Angel Affair" represents "The Angel Trilogy" in the form of jewelry and features pins, pendants, earrings, and a cross...created in sterling silver, 18-karat gold-plate, and 18-karat solid gold. There is no limit placed on the number of each jewelry item that may be produced.
Following James' passing, an 18-month search for a manufacturing jeweler of exceptional quality resulted in the selection of Kick n' Cast Company, located in Sedona, Arizona.
The for-profit world in which The Appledrum Group functions is the new arena for philanthropic support and the modern consumer represents the new philanthropist.
The needs of society today dictate that charitable organizations begin the process of transforming their fundraising efforts from purely philanthropic...through private support...to a mixture of strategies that includes a percentage of income generated through the marketing of related and unrelated products and services. This is necessary in order to ensure that current levels of programs can be maintained; new programs may be created to meet burgeoning demands; and, to secure an organization's position in a competitive marketplace. The funding of philanthropies has become the responsibility of those who see the benefits in the unique services that not-for-profit organizations provide.
While The Appledrum Group concentrates on support for a particular purpose...end-of-life care...others are encouraged to participate in it's Indiegogo campaign in order to fulfill their own cause-related interests.
Mr. Cross states, "We are neither a professional fundraiser nor a commercial co-venturer. We are merely a for-profit company, a sole proprietorship, that recognizes how in the course of doing business we may help others by offering our suggestions as to how we may work together to "...create two blades of grass where once there was but one..." (paraphrased from Johnathon Swift's, Gulliver's Travels, 1726)
The name "Appledrum" was born from Mr. Cross' memory of two very remarkable women...Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and his own mother, Margaret Ann.
In her congregation, "Missionaries of Charity", Mother Teresa was said to have given an apple to the destitute in her care because she did not want them to die without possessing something earthly to call their own. And, as fate would have it, Margaret's favorite Christmas song was, "The Little Drummer Boy". Hence the name, "Appledrum".
In Mr. Cross' words, "Two modest women, now angels themselves, have come together through "Calling All Angels" to influence great numbers of "Angels in Training".
Angels...No Wonder They Sing!
Contact: Charles Cross; appledrum(at)earthlink(dot)net; (602) 828-8281
