SKATE DECK MEMORIAL FOR THE DIANE KAMAHELE FUND

March 14, 2007 - Northridge, CA: The toy industry is small, tight-knit community of people. The loss of Diane Kamahele of Sideshow Collectibles at the end of 2006 was an unexpected and devastating blow.

For Eric Frank, the loss of colleague and friend Kamahele hit close to home.

"I've known Diane for more than half a dozen years through her work as press liaison for Sideshow Collectibles. Over time, she became for than just a contact; she became a good friend. She was taken much too soon."

Kamahele, a mother of three, passed away on December 9, 2006 at the age of 42, of apparent heart failure. Frank, a writer/editor for Action Figure Times had survived a heart attack just over a year previously.

Sideshow Collectibles has already set up a fund to help out Diane's family, which they will match, donated funds dollar for dollar. But Frank, who writes on the web as "TOYGODD" wanted to do something more personal to help her family.

"I really wanted to do something more for her family. Right before her death, Diane and I had spoken about my new logo. She rather liked it and wondered if I was going to do anything with it in the form of 'branding.' With her death, I decided use my 'brand' for the first time as a dedication to her and to help her family."

Using his connections in the toy industry, Frank is having a limited edition skate deck produced. These decks have been designed by videogame artist Steve Ceragioli, using a logo created by High Ground Industries (www.highgroundindustries.com) and produced by PopCling (www.popcling.com).

Each deck features the "TOYGODD" logo as well as a tribute to Kamahele. The decks are available for $50.00 S&H in the US. From the cost & shipping of each deck sold, a donation of $15.00 will be made to the Diane Kamahele fund.

"I'm hoping that in this small way, I can help make a difference for Diane's family."

If you would like to order one, you can contact Eric Frank at [email protected]. Payment by Paypal and Postal Money orders are accepted.

Eric Frank is an assistant editor for Action Figure Times (www.aftimes.com) as well as writing his own column, TOYGODD SPEAKS (www.aftimes.com/atoygodd/toygodd.shtml). He is based in Northridge, CA.