BC/EFA Donates $250,000 to Hurricane Sandy Relief

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS announced today that a portion of proceeds currently being raised by Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring companies during the six-week fall fundraising efforts will be donated to three relief agencies committed to immediately helping victims of Hurricane Sandy.

An additional $100,000 will be awarded to The Actors Fund, which is responding to the hardships within the entertainment community brought on by the disaster, including emergency financial assistance, access to medical care, and temporary housing.

"Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS historically has moved quickly and responsibly, on behalf of the theatre community, in responding to assist those affected by extraordinary events and natural disasters," Broadway Cares Executive Director Tom Viola said. "We want to immediately do the same by reaching out to those both in the theatre family and local communities most affected by Hurricane Sandy."

The hurricane relief grants will be awarded to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey, AmeriCares, and the American Red Cross.

The Community FoodBank of New Jersey coordinates the delivery of food, water, and supplies to food banks and meal programs across the state, including 14 organizations funded through BC/EFA's National Grants Program. njfoodbank.org

AmeriCares' emergency response team is making site visits throughout the storm-damaged areas to deliver family emergency kits and other relief supplies. It also has deployed its mobile medical clinic, stocked with medicines and relief supplies, to help treat the ill, injured, and displaced in Staten Island, NY. americares.org

The American Red Cross is providing shelter, clothing, food, and supplies to those left homeless by the storm, as well as helping in immediate and long-term recovery efforts. redcross.org

Dozens of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and national touring companies currently are actively participating in a twice-annual fundraising effort, which will culminate in two performances December 3 and 4 at the 24th Annual Gypsy of the Year Competition. The shows, in a friendly competition, raise money by asking audience members for donations as they leave the theatre, often offering incentives such as autographed Playbills and posters, backstage tours or other unique items and experiences.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS supports more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations across the country, including 127 in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy. All are currently expending existing resources to respond to the aftermath of the storm and will depend on BC/EFA’s continued support in weeks to come.

The BC/EFA Executive Committee, acting on behalf of the entire board, approved the emergency Grants Thursday. In addition to The Actors Fund, whose tireless work provides a safety net of social services for those in the entertainment industry, the hurricane relief agencies selected deliver on-the-ground resources for those most directly affected by the storm.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $225 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

Broadway Cares awards annual grants to more than 450 AIDS and family service organizations nationwide and is the major supporter of the social service programs at The Actors Fund, including the HIV/AIDS Initiative, the Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative and the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic.

For more information, please visit Broadway Cares online at broadwaycares.org.