Final push in effort to save Disney's KC studio

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 15-year effort to save Walt Disney's first animation studio is sponsoring another fundraising push.

The group that has been trying to save the studio where Disney began work in Kansas City in 1922 is planning an art show this week to bring in donations, with a goal of completing the project by 2015.

Butch Rigby, chairman of Thank You Walt Disney Inc., acknowledges the project has taken a long time but says his group will continue its efforts to save the studio, called Laugh-O-Gram.

The Kansas City Star reports the group has raised and spent nearly $1 million. It hopes to raise at least $2 million more.

This Friday, the group will sponsor an art show and a visit from Bret Iwan, the official voice of Mickey Mouse.