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Media Release
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For Immediate Release: July 4, 2008
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MONTREAL - ACTRA's Montreal Branch is offering its members an opportunity to double up on their contributions to the Actors' Fund of Canada with the ACTRA Montreal Member Challenge. Launched with a $5,000 contribution from the branch that was presented at the ACTRA Montreal Awards by Montreal member Claudia Ferri, the branch is challenging its members to match its initial $5,000 contribution with their own personal donations totalling $5,000, which the branch will then match with a further $5,000 contribution to the Fund. Member contributions received up to October 31 will qualify for matching by the branch.
The Actors' Fund is the lifeline for Canada's entertainment industry. Over 10,000 professional members of the industry from all over Canada and in the fields of film & TV, theatre, music and dance have been helped by the Fund, which provides emergency financial aid to assist cultural workers in recovering from an illness, injury or other circumstances causing severe economic and personal hardship. Performers and those working behind the scenes can apply for assistance from the Fund, which recently set a new record for the amount of financial aid delivered to the performing arts community in a single year, topping $500,000 in the 12-month period that ended on March 31. The Fund marks its 50th anniversary in 2008 with a campaign focused on raising awareness of its emergency financial aid program and uniting Canada's arts community in support of the organization.
Commenting on the contribution, ACTRA Montreal president Don Jordan said "On behalf of ACTRA Montreal and its members, I want to congratulate the Fund on its 50th anniversary. We have been big fans of the Actors' Fund for many years here at ACTRA Montreal. We are pleased to support the Fund through the Member Challenge and we look forward to working with the Actors' Fund for many years to come."
Actors' Fund Executive Director David Hope was enthusiastic in his reaction to the ACTRA Montreal initiative: "We were thrilled about the profile we received at the ACTRA Montreal Awards this spring and we are delighted that the branch has committed to donate up to $10,000 in total through the Member Challenge. The Member Challenge idea is really powerful, especially as it coincides with our 2008 Canadian TV Charity Challenge in which we are inviting casts, crews, and producers of TV series shot anywhere in Canada to raise money on set through friendly competitions between productions. With these two challenges in effect through the height of this year's production season, ACTRA Montreal members can make a huge impact on the lives of their colleagues who are struggling through some extremely difficult circumstances."
The Actors' Fund of Canada is a registered charity that has paid out over $3.5 million in rent payments, grocery money, utility payments and other basic living expenses in the last 10 years. Performers, creators, technical staff and other production team members can benefit from the Fund, which receives no government funding and is wholly sustained by support from individuals and entertainment industry organizations. Updates on the ACTRA Montreal Member Challenge will be available at www.actramontreal.ca.
News about the Canadian TV Charity Challenge will be posted at www.actorsfund.ca/charitychallenge/.
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CONTACT:
David Hope, The Actors' Fund of Canada
Phone: 1-877-399-8392
E-mail: contact@actorsfund.ca
Web site: www.actorsfund.ca
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©2010 The Actors' Fund of Canada - 1000 Yonge Street, Suite 301 Toronto, ON M4W 2K2
contact@actorsfund.ca / Tel: 416.975.0304 / Toll-Free: 1.877.399.8392 / Fax: 416.975.0306
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