Seattle's Jimothy the Raccoon Raises Over $50K for Charity

A wild raccoon with an unusually round body just helped raise over $50,000 for people facing hunger in Seattle.

Jimothy, a raccoon with a rare spinal condition that gives him a distinctive spherical appearance, captured hearts worldwide after photos of him went viral. The healthy, mobile raccoon inspired Google search animations, video game characters, and countless social media posts as people fell in love with his unique look.

Seattle artist Ryan Henry Ward saw an opportunity to turn internet fame into real help. On July 18, he posted an original painting of Jimothy and announced he'd auction it off with 100% of proceeds going to Ballard Food Bank, an organization that helped him during difficult times.

Ward invited bids through social media, and local resident Angela Galdabini won with an offer of $6,543.21. Within 24 hours, Ward donated the full amount to the food bank and shared the receipt online.

That's when the magic multiplied. Amazon spotted the campaign and announced it would match the winning bid, then tagged other Pacific Northwest companies to join in.

The Ripple Effect

Starbucks jumped in first. "Count us in on supporting Ballard Food Bank with a donation match!" the coffee giant commented.

T-Mobile followed immediately. "We could never turn down supporting Jimothy and the Ballard Food Bank!" Alaska Airlines, the Seattle Mariners, and other regional brands quickly pledged matching donations too.

Ballard Food Bank has served Seattle since the 1970s with a unique grocery store model. Visitors can shop for free produce, canned goods, hygiene products, and pet food with dignity instead of standing in traditional food lines.

Ward confirmed the total raised climbed past $50,000 thanks to the corporate matches. What began as one artist's gratitude became a movement powered by a photogenic raccoon and the companies willing to answer his call.

Sometimes the internet's favorite characters can change real lives beyond the screen.