Air Bud’s Kevin DiCicco will be saved from homelessness thanks to fundraiser – and he has money-making idea

Disney’s Air Bud creator Kevin DiCicco will be saved from homelessness thanks to a crowdfunding campaign, and he already has a new idea that will hopefully strengthen his future.

Days ago it was reported that he was living in a homeless shelter and dealing with health problems when an old friend a GoFundMe in an attempt to help.

Fans of the film franchise have already raised a whopping $11,545 in just a few days and now DiCicco can take himself off the streets.

He told TMZ on Wednesday that he is shocked and grateful at the generosity of strangers on the Internet.

DiCicco – the original owner of the star dog who played basketball in the film franchise – also told the publication that he is very relieved that he will no longer be removed from his home, as he will receive the money sometime next week.

While Buddy died in 1998, the Air Bud franchise remained a consistent source of content for Disney until 2012, with DiCicco earning 11 credits for his creative contributions.

He’s also already making plans for what he’ll do with the money, including buying a studio apartment in San Diego, California and getting the medical care he needs as he struggles with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Additionally, he’s plotting a new way to make money in the form of an app that allows dog owners to train their dogs to master regular sports, just like his old pup Buddy, who died in 1998 shortly after the film was released.

However, DiCicco cannot implement any of Air Bud’s intellectual property (IP) into the potential project as he does not own any rights to it.

This came days after he revealed he is dealing with health issues and homelessness ahead of the holidays.

DiCicco said TMZ on Sunday that he is about to find himself without a place to stay as he has almost reached the 90 days he is allowed to stay in a San Diego shelter.

DiCicco told the newspaper he is “terrified” about the prospects of having nowhere to stay, compounded by a health crisis as he battles COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

DiCicco, who owned and trained the late Golden Retriever Buddy featured in the 1997 Disney film, told the outlet that he “never received much monetary compensation” for his contributions to the film franchise.

The first Air Bud movie hit theaters in August 1997 and grossed $23,144,499, according to the American newspaper. Box Office Mojo.

This came days after he revealed he is dealing with health issues and homelessness ahead of the holidays

DiCicco owned and trained the late Golden Retriever Buddy who was featured in the 1997 Disney film

While Buddy died of synovial cell sarcoma in 1998, the Air Bud franchise remained a consistent source of content for Disney through 2012, with DiCicco earning 11 credits for his creative contributions.

DiCicco told the outlet that he battled depression after filing for bankruptcy and used medical marijuana to combat it; he said he never used other substances.

He credited his battle with COPD – which the Mayo Clinic defines as “a persistent lung disease caused by damage to the lungs” – to his marijuana use.

DiCicco said he requires supplemental airflow through the use of an oxygen concentrator, and has used an electricity source to charge the medical device at the shelter.

DiCicco said that while professional help helped him emerge from depression, he suffered another setback as the coronavirus pandemic lingered.

DiCicco said he lost a job as a property manager due to economic factors resulting from the shutdown caused by the virus.

A GoFundMe The campaign, started by DiCicco’s friends with a goal of $200,000 to help him recover, raised $10,659 through 235 donations as of Sunday evening.

DiCicco told TMZ that he was hesitant to ask for the public’s help in a crowdfunding campaign, but that he has “run out of options” amid his shaky living situation.

Fans of the film franchise have already raised a whopping $11,545 in just a few days and now DiCicco can take himself off the streets

The first Air Bud movie hit theaters in August 1997 and grossed $23,144,499.

“It is extremely heartfelt that people I have never met would donate to my cause,” said a statement from DiCicco on the fundraising page. ‘Thank you very much again for your support. Your gesture is greatly appreciated.”

DiCicco said Fox 5 San Diego in July that the financial arrangements involving the Air Bud franchise were “cleverly designed to ensure that these films never actually receive the big bucks.”

“That’s why we’re now in a position where, instead of enjoying our last years and retiring, we almost have to start over.”