Florida State Thespians Raise $44,041 for BC/EFA

Florida State Thespians banded together yet again this school year to raise $44,041 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a record-setting year for them and more than any other education-based organization in the country.

Florida's high school theatre students have been committed to raising funds for Broadway Cares since 1999. This year's total broke the organization's previous one-year total of $33,000 set in 2007 and brings the Florida Thespians' all-time grand total to $420,734.

"For 14 years the students and theatre educators in Florida have shown tremendous generosity in their support of Broadway Cares," said Joe Norton, BC/EFA's director of education and outreach. "These students are affecting change by working together, raising awareness about HIV/AIDS in their schools and communities and making a difference for those who need help the most."

State Director Daron Hawkins, who's also a drama teacher at Riverview High School in Riverview, FL, called it "breathtaking" to see young people become so passionate about caring for others.

"The results of this year's Broadway Cares fundraising by the Florida State Thespians solidify my faith in young people and the arts," Hawkins said. "Where there is art, there is compassion."

Florida Thespians raise money on the local, district and state level, making it one of the most coordinated BC/EFA fundraising campaigns in educational theatre. Students raise money by selling ribbons, bracelets, buttons and T-shirts, hosting special auctions, impromptu performances and audience donations and creating an AIDS Walk just for Broadway Cares at the state festival.

Florida State Thespians are an affiliate of the Educational Theatre Association's International Thespian Society, the honorary organization for high school and middle school theatre students which last year topped $1 million in money raised for Broadway Cares.

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS supports 26 AIDS and family services organizations in Florida and last year granted $192,500 to help provide medications, health care, nutritious meals and emergency financial assistance.

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 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, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/BCEFA, follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/BCEFA, watch us on YouTube at youtube.com/BCEFAtv and tag us on Instagram at instagram.com/BCEFA.

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