Blog

Today, Profiles in History will offer Annette's collection of career achievement awards and other treasured possessions to bidders at 11 AM (Pacific) during it's Animation and Disneyana Auction.   This collection of exceptional items has been donated by Annette's husband, Glen Holt to fulfill Annette's wishes that they be offered to support medical research through her foundation. Profiles in History has graciously agreed to waive all usual seller fees for this 13 lot collection - allowing 100% of the hammer price on each item to be forwarded directly to The Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases. You can view and bid in today's auction HERE Thank you for your consideration and continued support.  

As a friend of the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases, you may have heard by now that in fulfilling Annette’s wishes in regard to her personal property, her husband, Glen Holt,  believes the time has come for placing some of her most iconic awards and treasured possessions in the upcoming Disneyana Auction at Profiles in History (Dec. 10, 2015).   It was important to Annette that everyone… family, friends, and fans… have an equal opportunity to own one these items and to support the Annette Funicello Research Fund in the process. We all know that Annette was passionate about finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological diseases and she knew that fund raising would be essential in providing for that necessary research.   As most of the items selected for auction were received at Glen & Annette’s home during the course of their marriage, she asked him to care for them until the time came when he wou...

Today, on what would have been her 73rd birthday, we remember Annette....and recall the many ways in which we have been blessed by her life, her talents and her example. We hope that on this special day you will consider making a tax deductible donation in Annette's memory to her foundation in support of her greatest dream. The Annette Funicello Research Fund P.O. Box 599 Shafter, CA 93263 Donate by Credit Card  

Kevin Corcoran and Annette circa 1959 All of us at the Annette Funicello Research Fund wish to extend our sympathy and prayers to the family of Disney Legend, Kevin Corcoran. A popular child star of the Walt Disney Studios in the 50's and 60's, Kevin appeared frequently with Annette on television and in feature films, including such classics as "The Shaggy Dog" and "Babes in Toyland".  For more information on the career of Kevin Corcoran, please read the short b iography on the D23 website provided in the link below.   KEVIN CORCORAN BIOGRAPHY

Displayed among Annette's awards and other career-related memorabilia at D23 Expo 2015 was an illustration depicting a device that was developed with the help of a grant from the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases (AFRFND). Created by Dr. Paolo Zamboni, this small, simple instrument is able to accurately measure blood flow back to the heart from the brain.  It was tested this year on the International Space Station by Italy's first female astronaut, Samantha Cristofferetti.  After 199 days, 16 hours and 42 minutes in space, Cristofferetti broke the record for the longest space flight by any woman in history.   The same tool used in this historic space experiment is expected to benefit millions on earth by easily and effectively detecting obstacles within the veins obstructing blood flow from the brain back to the heart; which is believed to be a contributor to neurodegenerative conditions like MS, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. ...

Filled with handwritten assignments from her years of schooling in the "little red trailers"  on the Disney Studio lot; two of Annette's school binders were on display at the Annette Funicello Research Fund booth at D23 Expo 2015.  Just like any teenager, Annette decorated these notebooks with doodles and the names of her favorite "famous" crushes of the day. This 14k gold and jeweled horse pin was gifted to Annette by her costume designer at the Walt Disney Studio, Gertie Casey.  Annette and Gertie shared a mutual admiration for horses. Following her marriage to rancher and horse breeder, Glen Holt in 1986, Annette had the pin redesigned by her jeweler as tie tack for her husband. These dance shoes from Annette's years as a Mouseketeer were discovered in the attic of Annette's childhood home in Encino while packing up the house for her parents' move to Palm Springs.  Almost thrown away, the shoes were saved by Annett...

Among the most popular items on display at our booth at D23 Expo 2015 were Annette's collection of career achievement awards - on public exhibition for the first time ever! In addition to her "Walk of Fame" award (which we showed you in our previous post), Annette's "Disney Legend Award" was also on display; accompanied by the very letter Annette received from Roy E. Disney bearing the news she had been selected to receive the companies most prestigious award. Annette accepted her award during a ceremony held at the Walt Disney Studios on October 21, 1992 - one day prior to her 50th Birthday. Annette at her Disney Legends ceremony at the Walt Disney Studios, October 21, 1992. Annette's 1959 "Tower of Talent" award, presented by WPTR Radio, was also on display.  She received the award in recognition of her hit record "How Will I Know My Love". Annette was presented the key to the city ...

A pair of golden earrings that may look familiar to some fans were on display at the Annette Funicello Research Fund booth, hosted by SaturdaysToys.com at D23 Expo 2015. Annette wore these earrings to launch her own perfume, CELLO By Annette at Disneyland in 1993.    While it seems that every celebrity has their own fragrance line today, this was not the case in the early 90's..... making Annette among the earliest public figures to attempt this now-popular product trend. Annette also wore these earrings in 1994 while appearing on The Sally Jessy Raphael Show to promote her autobiography and discuss her battle with MS. Also on display were Annette's golden and rhinestone star earrings worn to the unveiling of her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!   The earrings were on display right beside the Award itself, commemorating this incredible career achievement! Check back soon for more photos from our display at D...

Taking a closer look at the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases (AFRFND) booth at D23 Expo 2015, we find Annette's diamond butterfly wedding band on display.  When Annette married Glen Holt on May 3, 1986, they exchanged matching gold wedding bands as a symbol of their unending commitment to one another.  Sometime between late 1992 and early 1993, Annette had her jeweler add a delicate gold and diamond butterfly to the band. The diamond butterfly actually began it's life as one of Annette's favorite necklaces.... which she wore often; notably during her national tour with Frankie Avalon, when she guest starred on Full House and for her iconic cover shoot for People Magazine - as shown above. Annette's gold and diamond "horseshoe" ring - which many fans will recognize - was also on display. Annette's "horseshoe" ring can be seen in the photograph above.....as well as the gol...

D23 Expo 2015 came to a close a week ago yesterday. Below are a few photo's of our booth at the Expo, featuring the inaugural display of Annette's most prized career achievement awards as well as a variety of notable personal effects....among other treasures! Check back on Wednesday as we begin to take a closer look at the treasures within the display!

We want to extend our congratulations to each of the Mickey Mouse Club alumni who were presented "Mousecars" at the conclusion of the program celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Mickey Mouse Club this past Sunday at D23 Expo 2015! Award recipients were: Nancy Abbate, Sherry Alberoni, Sharon Baird, Billie Jean Beanblossom, Bobby Burgess, Tommy Cole, Tim Considine, Mary Espinosa, Darlene Gillespie, Judy Harriet, Cubby O’Brien, Paul Peterson, David Stollery and Doreen Tracey. Lastly, our own Annette Funicello was awarded a "Mousecar" posthumously; which was accepted by Annette Funicello Research Fund volunteer, Dave Mason on behalf of the Research Fund and Annette's family.  The "Mousecar" was Walt Disney's version of the Oscar that he would award in-house to employees in recognition of their service to the company.   The trophies presented to the Mouseketeers were not reproductions, but recently discovered awards that Walt himself...

Please be sure to check back for photos from our booth at D23 Expo 2015!   Sincere thanks to all who stopped by to convey their love and support of Annette and her greatest dream.   Together we can carry the dreams she hoped to accomplish through her Research Fund into reality!

Visitors to The Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases (AFRFND) booth, hosted by SaturdaysToys.com (Exhibition Hall A / Booth A307) will have the opportunity to take home some unique and exclusive gifts, available only to D23 Expo attendees! A limited edition portfolio containing a hand-written, signed and dated homework assignment from Annette's high school notebook will be available at our booth, while supplies last, at this years Expo. These homework assignments (circa 1958 - 1960) were preserved by Mrs. Jean Seaman, the Mouseketeers' school teacher in the "Little Red Trailer" at the Walt Disney Studios. This special offering is limited to only 100 pieces and available on a first-come, first- served basis for a donation of $100 or more to the AFRFND. Another special offering is a beautiful Limited Edition "Annette Funicello Signature Pin"!  Produced in a strictly limited quantity of 300 pieces, this gold ...

In addition to our featured sale and exhibition of three original, one-of-a-kind paper sculptures from famed artist and illustrator Kevin Kidney; another piece of original art is now being offered in the days leading up-to and through D23 Expo 2015 for the benefit of the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases. Created by one of Disneyland's talented portrait artists James Shepard, this stunning original piece was mailed directly to Annette by the artist. Annette instantly fell in love with it and instructed it be displayed in the foyer of her home in Bakersfield,CA where it could be seen and enjoyed by all who entered that home.  Matted to a size of 17''x28'', with artwork that is 12''x23''; this beautiful piece from Annette's personal art collection is ready-to-frame and display in your home! Please visit the auction listing for more information and to place your bid.  We sincerely thank you for your c...

Congratulations to Lorraine Santoli, former Executive Director of The Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases, who has just released her latest book , INSIDE THE DISNEY MARKETING MACHINE - In the Era of Michael Eisner & Frank Wells ! The book is available now through Amazon.com in both print and Kindle editions.  Should you choose to pick up a copy, don't forget to access Amazon.com through our website for a percentage of your order to benefit The Annette Funicello Research Fund! ABOUT THE BOOK The Secrets of Disney's Success   Disney's former Director of Corporate Synergy, Lorraine Santoli, gives a first-person, behind-the-scenes account of how she and her colleagues spearheaded Disney's financial and cultural recovery during the Michael Eisner and Frank Wells era. When Santoli left NBC to join the Disney team, the studio that Walt built was in a rut. Its leadership was weak, its films forgettable. The arrival of Eisne...

It's official!  The 60th Anniversary of the Mickey Mouse Club will be observed at this year's D23 Expo with a program hosted by our friend Lorraine Santoli and featuring original Mouseketeers Sherry Alberoni, Sharon Baird, Bobby Burgess, Tommy Cole, Darlene Gillespie, Cubby O'Brien and Doreen Tracey, along with actors Tim Considine and David Stollery from the popular Spin and Marty serial. In addition to this presentation, autograph opportunities with the Mouseketeers will be available as well as a small collection of merchandise commemorating the 60th Anniversary of this groudbreaking television program.   To top it all off, the original cement slab bearing Annette's handprints and signature from her Disney Legend ceremony - held October 21, 1992 at the Walt Disney Studios - will be on display for the very first time outside of the Studios.  You can read the full announcement  HERE

"Through the years we'll all be friends wherever we may be" - from the "Mickey Mouse Club Alma Mater" by Jimmy Dodd As over 40,000 fans gather in August for Disney's D23 Expo 2015, the Walt Disney Company will also be celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Disneyland's dedication and grand opening. Among the performers who participated in the live coast-to-coast broadcast on July 17, 1955 were a group of young people making their own debut as the original Mouseketeers of Walt Disney's new "Mickey Mouse Club."  Of the twenty-four children who appeared on camera that day, it would be a shy twelve-year-old girl by the name of "Annette" who would sing and dance her way into our hearts. In celebrating that historic milestone, the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases will present the inaugural public exhibition of Annette's most celebrated awards, including the Disney Legends Award and her own sta...

Pictured above are the crystal awards presented to Jim Shaw and Sarah Slayton-Price in recognition of their work on the Annette Funicello: A Tribute to Walt Disney CD.  Both volunteered their time and talents to the project which helped to generate over $150,000 for neurological research through the Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases . Glen Holt (left), Chairman of the Annette Funicello Research Fund expresses his thanks to Mr. Shaw (middle) and Ms. Slayton-Price (right) during the awards presentation at the Buck Owens Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, CA . Sarah Slayton-Price admires her award while Jim Shaw shares a few words during the short Awards presentation ceremony held on Tuesday. Buck Owens and Annette Funicello are pictured here together riding in Owens' iconic convertible in a Bakersfield rodeo parade on May 19,1984.  Annette and Mr. Owens shared a mutual admiration for each others work in their respect ive fields of en...

The Annette Funicello Research Fund for Neurological Diseases (AFRFND) is pleased to announce Jim Shaw and Sarah Slayton-Price as the first recipients of “The Annette Funicello Award”. AFRFND Chairman, Glen Holt and Directors, Lindsay McDuffie and Carol Schumacher presented the awards to Jim and Sarah at the Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, CA on Tuesday June 23, 2015 in recognition of their outstanding volunteer efforts into the creation and production of the “Annette Funicello: A Tribute to Walt Disney” CD. Jim Shaw served as producer on the project and Sarah Slayton-Price, a talented graphic artist, was responsible for creating the original artwork and packaging design. Since its official release at The Walt Disney Family Museum in December 2013, the CD has helped to generate nearly $150,000 for neurological research through the Annette Funicello Research Fund. Copies of this limited edition CD release are still available for a minimum donation o...