Last thing you want to hear in a pandemic: ‘You need surgery’
Aid recipient Andy Anderson: “I grew up in a small town in Minnesota and went to college at the University of Minnesota. While acting off and on, I was employed in various fields, including News Director for a radio station, Traffic Director for an ad agency, Communications Director for the Governor of Minnesota, and Government Relations Director for the Minnesota State Arts Board. (With all those “director” positions, you would think I would direct in theatre, but save for one endeavor, it’s all been acting!) I moved to Denver to take a completely new direction in life by working for a year for Americorps NCCC, a national community-service organization that serves like the Peace Corps, only domestically. After my year of service, I had fallen in love with Colorado and decided to stay. I then began an acting career that has spanned almost 20 years in Denver, beginning with my first show Bent with Hunger Artists, through my latest show, Marvin’s Room at Vintage Theatre. While I have had the opportunity to play nearly 60 stage roles in Denver, I would have to say some of my favorites include George in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird and Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey.”
His medical story: Andy has had worsening gum disease for several years, exacerbated by other health issues. During the pandemic, he learned he would need laser oral surgery. (This is not the kind of surgery DAF partnering dentist Dr. Brian Kelly provides.) The cost of the surgery after insurance was $3,329.50.
How we have helped: After the COVID shutdown, The Denver Actors Fund board of directors adopted a conservative, temporary, “70 percent of normal” survival strategy, unanimously approving payment of $2,331 toward Andy’s overall bill. Combined with targeted donations from the local theatre community, The Denver Actors Fund’s overall support for Andy is now $2,576.
‘I cannot thank The Denver Actors Fund enough for all the help it has provided the Colorado theatre community over the years.’
A message from Andy: “While I was fortunate to remain employed throughout the COVID crisis, my dental insurance only would pay a small portion of my surgery. The Denver Actors Fund came through with a generous amount that allowed me to have the surgery and not go into huge debt. I cannot thank The DAF enough, not only for its help in my particular circumstance, but for ALL the help it has provided the Colorado theatre community over the years. At a time when health care seems to be a luxury in this country (when it should be a right), having an organization like The DAF can literally be a lifesaver. My most sincere gratitude goes out to all of you who have supported The DAF over the years!”
How you can help us help Andy more: If you would like to direct a specific donation to help Andy pay down the remaining $998 on his dental bill, simply mail checks in any amount made out to The Denver Actors Fund (with Andy Anderson’s name written in the topic field), to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80211. Or use this donation link. If you use the online option, be sure to designate that your donation is targeted for Andy Anderson. (He will receive 100 percent of your donation.) Otherwise, your donation will be applied to the replenishment of the Denver Actors Fund’s general fund.
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 $623,000 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
NEW: AFFORDABLE MENTAL HEALTH CARE
The Denver Actors Fund has announced a major new collaboration with the Maria Droste Counseling Center of Colorado to provide affordable, professional health care to any qualifying Colorado theatre artist who needs it. CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION
GET INSTANT, FREE 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.
“QUARANTINE WEEK BY WEAK”
When shelter-in-place orders were issued by the state of Colorado, photographer and actor Susannah McLeod and her wife, fellow actor Chloe McLeod, joined the thousands of people whose livelihoods were impacted by COVID19. With theaters closed and events on hold, much of the couple’s income was impacted. To stay creatively engaged and bring some lightheartedness to a challenging situation, the couple started a photography project documenting their lives during quarantine. They produced more than 35 sets of humorous photos comparing the beginning of quarantine to later in the “stay-at-home” period. As popularity for the series grew on Instagram and after a feature in Westword, the couple decided to publish the series as a coffee-table book to benefit The DAF. Thanks to generous sponsorship to cover the printing cost, “Quarantine Week by Weak” is now available. To order and learn more visit http://
VISIT OUR ONLINE MERCH STORE:
Click here to see how you can buy DAF products such as T-shirts, key chains, puzzles and much more.
