About Us   A Brief History   Latest News   »  NABET Local 700 Doubles its Contribution to Fund   »  Theatre Cares Supports Actors' Fund of Canada with $5,000 Contribution   »  Directors Guild of Canada BC District Council Contributes $25,000 to Fund   »  Directors Guild of Canada National Office Announces 2009 Contribution to Fund   »  "The Sound of Music" Raises $11,700 for Fund   »  Toronto Talent Agencies Contribute $6,500 to Fund in Q4 2009   »  "A Chorus Line" Raises $54,000 for Fund and BC/EFA During Canadian Tour   »  Drayton Entertainment Announces Results of 2008-09 Season Fundraising for Fund   »  The Sweet Sound of Success: Sondheim in September Raises $10,000 for Fund   »  Award-Winning Toronto Performer Showcases New Work in Fund Benefit Concert   »  IATSE Local 411 Contributes $1,500 to Actors' Fund of Canada   »  Battlestar Galactica's Michael Hogan Auctions Props for Fund   »  Rush Ticket Sales for Final Matinee of Rock 'N' Roll at Citadel Theatre Support Fund   »  Tarragon Theatre Launches New Fundraising Campaign for Fund   »  Western Canada IATSE Locals Contribute $32,000 to Fund   »  Bard On The Beach Shakespeare Festival Raises $3,800 for Fund   »  Concrete Theatre Announces Nov. 7 Benefit for Fund   »  Actra Fraternal's 2009 Contribution to Actors' Fund Grows to $100,000   »  Manitoba Theatre Centre Renews Good Vibrations Campaign for Fund   »  Great Canadian Theatre Announces Plans for 2009-10 Actors' Fund Benefit   »  Western Canada Theatre Announces 2009-10 Actors' Fund Benefit   »  National Arts Centre English Theatre Announces 2009 Actors' Fund of Canada Benefit Performance   »  Theatre North West Announces 2009-10 Fund Benefit   »  Prairie Theatre Exchange Benefit Performance for 2009-10 Season   »  Stratford Shakespeare Festival Announces Performance of Cyrano De Bergerac to Benefit Fund   »  Gateway Theatre Announces Oct. 17 Benefit for Fund   »  Colin Mochrie and Hon. Sarmite Bulte, P.C. Appointed to Fund Board of Directors   »  Fund Launches Collaboration with Cosmetics Industry Leader Cover FX   »  Maria Topalovich Named to Playback Canadian Film and TV Hall of Fame   »  13th Annual Big Swing Tournament Raises $61,250   »  2009 Charity Challenge Opens with $10,800 Air Farce Donation   »  2008 Canadian TV Charity Challenge Winner   »  Live At The Met Cabaret Performance   »  Eight IATSE Locals Donate $47,800 to Actors' Fund   »  Actors' Fund Announces Final Entries in 2008 TV Charity Challenge   »  Cast of Jersey Boys Raises $32,000   »  Cast of A Chorus Line Raises $63,000   »  Actors' Fund Announces Board Appointments   »  CBC-TV's Sophie Joins 2008 TV Charity Challenge For Actors' Fund of Canada   »  CW Network's Reaper Joins 2008 TV Charity Challenge for Actors' Fund of Canada   »  CBC-TV's Heartland Raises $11,700 for Actors' Fund of Canada In 2008 TV Charity Challenge   »  Big Swing Golf Tournament Breaks Fundraising Record For Actors' Fund of Canada   »  Calgary Theatre Community Honours Fund with Honourary Betty Mitchell Award   »  ACTRA President Declares Actors' Fund of Canada a Cultural Treasure   »  IATSE International President Calls for Support for Actors' Fund   »  DGC Ontario Contributes $50,000 to Actors' Fund   »  $5,000 Contribution to Fund Launches ACTRA Montreal Member Challenge   »  Actors' Fund Awarded Honorary Dora Mavor Moore Award   »  Actors' Fund Launches 50+50 Campaign   »  DGC Alberta Rounds Up Support for Actors' Fund   »  Cake-Cutting Ceremony in Celebration of the Actors' Fund 50th Anniversary!   »  IATSE Local 58 Helps Set The Stage For Actors' Fund of Canada Anniversary   »  DGC National Office Renews Support For Actors' Fund of Canada   »  Manitoba Theatre Centre Makes 'Triple Threat' Contribution To Actors' Fund of Canada   »  ACTRA Manitoba Climbs Aboard 50th Anniversary Campaign   »  ACTRA Alberta Joins 50th Anniversary Campaign   »  ACTRA Saskatchewan Contribution   »  Canadian Stage's 'The Clean House' Cleans Up for Fund   »  I.A.T.S.E. Local 212 Joins 50th Anniversary Drive   »  AFBS Strengthens Commitment To Actors' Fund   »  DGC BC District Council Funding Increase   »  Actors' Fund & MPICA Announce Results of 10th Annual Auction   »  Martin Harbury Joins Fund Board of Directors   »  I.A.T.S.E. Local 891 Makes $18,000 Donation To The Actors' Fund of Canada   »  Actors' Fund of Canada Mourns Loss of Founder Barry Morse   »  I.A.T.S.E. Local 357 Throws Support Behind Actors' Fund of Canada   »  I.A.T.S.E. Local 856 Pledges Support For Actors' Fund of Canada   »  Three I.A.T.S.E. Locals Unite Behind Actors' Fund of Canada   »  The Actors' Fund of Canada: an unsung hero of Canadian culture   »  Maria Topalovich Joins Fund Board of Directors   »  Theatre Aquarius Benefit Raises $8,400   »  Fund Braces for Impact of WGA Strike   »  Fund Celebrates 50 Years in 2008   »  I.A.T.S.E. Support   »  Actra Fraternal $100,000 Grant   »  Stratford Festival Supports Fund   Charity Challenge   Online Theatre Kit   Big Swing 2010   More Than Applause   Reel Friends Plan   National   Advisory Board   Testimonials   Buy Merchandise   Donate Now   Apply for Assistance   Join our Mailing List   Other Resources   E-mail Us  Media Release MARIA TOPALOVICH JOINS ACTORS' FUND OF CANADA'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS For Immediate Release: December 19, 2007 TORONTO - Maria Topalovich, former President and CEO of the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television, joins the Actors' Fund of Canada's national board of directors. The illustrious founder of Canada's Genie and Gemini Awards, and later Quebec's Prix Gemeaux, Topalovich says, "These are exciting times at the Actors' Fund of Canada which kicks-off its 50th anniversary celebration in 2008. I am proud to join this wonderful organization on this auspicious occasion". Actors' Fund President Graham Harley states, "Maria's personal warmth and generosity, and legendary contributions to the promotion of Canadian culture make her a wonderful addition to the board of the Actors' Fund of Canada. As we mark our 50th anniversary, we are delighted that she will be lending her formidable expertise to the operation of the Fund's crucial work throughout the entertainment industry both in this anniversary year and beyond". The Actors' Fund of Canada provides immediate, short-term, emergency financial assistance for all entertainment professionals affected by illness, injury or other financial setback. Current demand on the Actors' Fund of Canada is 30% higher than it was at this time last year. The Fund provides over $400,000 in rent payments, grocery money, medical costs, utility payments and other basic living expenses annually. All entertainment professionals, such as writers, technical staff, performers, and production team members, can apply to the Actors' Fund of Canada for assistance. Additionally, all entertainment professionals such as writers, technical staff, performers and production team members can donate to the Actor's Fund of Canada by visiting www.actorsfund.ca. "In an industry fraught with economic uncertainty, we owe it to each other to provide both compassion and financial assistance when life's unforeseen circumstances strike" says Topalovich. "It is our hope that those in the Canadian entertainment industry in a position to help will respond generously to the 50th anniversary campaign, ensuring that funding will be available for friends and colleagues when help is needed most." The Actors' Fund of Canada receives no government funding and is wholly sustained by support from individuals and entertainment industry organizations. --30-- CONTACT: David Hope, The Actors' Fund of Canada Phone: 1-877-399-8392 E-mail: contact@actorsfund.ca Web site: www.actorsfund.ca Top  ©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