Actor discovers there’s no such thing as a cheap dental emergency
Aid recipient: Lakewood native and True West Award-winning actor Jake Mendes recently starred in the Arvada Center’s “Bright Star” and in DCPA Education’s “Corduroy.” He won the 2018 Henry Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical for his performance in the Aurora Fox’s “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Other seminal roles have included Dr. Frank-N-Furter in StageDoor Theatre’s The Rocky Horror Musical in Conifer, and the sadistic dentist in Miners Alley Playhouse’s Little Shop of Horrors. Jake has been named to the Arvada Center’s 2020 Black Box Rep Company, and will be a featured player in “Murder on the Orient Express” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Small Mouth Sounds” beginning January 31 and running through May 17. Jake is a graduate of Green Mountain High School and the University of Northern Colorado.
His medical story: Jake recently went in to see his regular dentist and was told he needed an immediate root canal and crown. Jake has dental insurance through Actors Equity, but still faced out-of-pocket expenses totaling $1,090 from both procedures.
How we helped: The Denver Actors Fund Board of Directors has voted to reimburse Jake for his entire $1,090 out-of-pocket obligation.
A message from Jake: “I recently went to the dentist … I hate the dentist … and I wasn’t surprised to be told I needed some work done. But I was very surprised when it turned out to be an urgent root canal and crown. And, of course, the surprisingly high cost to accompany those exciting procedures. I am beyond grateful to The Denver Actors Fund for what they do in our community. Their financial assistance not only helped ease the stress with my bills, but reminded me of how lucky I am to be a part of such a generous theatre community here in Colorado. I’m grateful to everyone who has ever contributed to the DAF, and look forward to paying it forward in the future.”
The Denver Actors Fund has now made more than $421,000 available to Colorado artists in medical need.
How you can help us help us help more Colorado theatre artists: If you would like to make a donation to The Denver Actors Fund, simply mail checks in any amount made out to Denver Actors Fund to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80212. Or use this donation link, with our humble thanks.
Read testimonials from other Denver Actors Fund beneficiaries here
Note: At The Denver Actors Fund, anonymity of aid recipients is presumed and fully protected, unless and until the recipient chooses to have their story told.
ABOUT THE DENVER ACTORS FUND:
The Denver Actors Fund is a modest source of immediate, situational relief when members of the local theater community find themselves in medical need. In addition to $421,000 in financial relief, a team of more than 60 Denver Actors Fund volunteers have offered good neighborly assistance to more than 100 beneficiaries including meal prep and delivery, child care, transportation, errands, construction, pet-sitting and more. For more information, visit our web site at DenverActorsFund.Org.
HOW TO APPLY FOR AID:
To apply for Denver Actors Fund aid: Fill out this brief online form here
GET FREE, INSTANT MEDICAL ADVICE: The Denver Actors Fund has launch of a major new FREE medical service for qualified Colorado theatre artists: We are partnering with Hippo Health to provide access to emergency medical evaluations via video conferencing with a Board-certified physician. Click to read more about this wonderful, innovative new partnership that will further improve the lives of artists!
MORE WAYS TO HELP:
DONATE ONLINE:
Go to our online giving site at: ColoradoGives.Org
DONATE BY MAIL:
Send checks made out to The Denver Actors Fund to:
P.O. Box 11182
Denver, CO 80211
VOLUNTEER:
Ever thought about taking a more active role in The Denver Actors Fund? Click here for more information
SHOP AT KING SOOPERS
Sign up for King Soopers’ Community Rewards Program and raise money for The DAF just by shopping for your groceries – and it doesn’t cost you an extra penny. It’s like the Amazon Smile Program. To sign up, simply go here and designate The DAF as your preferred non-profit. Each quarter, King Soopers sends us a donation based on how much our supporters have spent. Thanks to all of you who are shopping for The DAF!
COME TO THE EVENTS THAT SUPPORT US:
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