BC/EFA Begins Team-Raiser' Fundraising Effort; Postpones 'Gypsy of the Year'

In response to the work stoppage currently effecting Broadway theatres, Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, which was in the middle of its annual Gypsy of The Year fundraising when the stoppage took effect, announces "Team-Raiser," an internet-based way to continue fundraising for the 19th Annual Gypsy of The Year Competition.

Contributions can be made by visiting www.BroadwayCares.org.

Tom Viola, executive director of BC/EFA said, "With the work stoppage in effect, we have received phone calls from people asking what they can do to help BC/EFA. With a vital part of our grant-making ability at stake, we have launched "Team-Raiser" to help our efforts during this time and hope that people will take the time to visit www.BroadwayCares.org."

Viola continued, "We are deeply moved by the support and realize that we are not alone, as the entire theatrical community is being affected by the work stoppage. We along with the rest of the Broadway community eagerly anticipate a resolution to the stoppage."

The 19th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition will be postponed to Monday, December 17 and Tuesday, December 18 at a theatre to be announced. Ticketing will be announced at a later date.

Last year's Gypsy of The Year raised over $3 million which accounts for almost 25% of BC/EFA's operating budget.

Every week of lost fundraising means approximately $350,000 will not be able to be awarded as grants to the six programs at The Actors' Fund that BC/EFA funds - including The AIDS Initiative, The Phyllis Newman Women's Heath Initiative, The Al Hirschfeld Free Heath Clinic and more, as well as to the food pantries, meal delivery programs, housing initiative and health clinics of over 400 AIDS and family service providers across the country.

"Team-Raiser" donations can now be made via the internet at www.BroadwayCares.org.

In addition to general donations, to BC/EFA, donors can click on the show logo and make donations in honor of a particular show. These funds will be counted towards every show's final total for the 19th Annual Gypsy of The Year Competition.  All online donations are fully tax deductible. 

For any donation of $100 or above, BC/EFA will happily send you one of a mouse pad from the 2007-2008 Broadway Cares Collection - featuring the logos of over 30 current Broadway musicals.

BC/EFA would like to express its deep gratitude to the Broadway companies of Mary Poppins, Mauritius, Pygmalion, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, The Ritz, Young Frankenstein and Xanadu, as well as many show Off-Broadway and all the current national tours who continue to work together delighting audiences with their productions and keeping the BC/EFA in-theatre fundraising fires burning. www.BroadwayCares.org