Denver Actors Fund takes money out of grieving process for family after losing beloved cat, Basil
PAWS Fund recipients: Actors, teaching artists and married couple Devon James and Sean Scrutchins have been busy on area stages since arriving in Colorado from their home state of Oklahoma in 2011. Devon won a True West Award right out of the gate for Curious Theatre’s “Time Stands Still” in 2012. Her credits have since included the Denver Children’s Theatre, the Arvada Center, Miners Alley Playhouse and, most recently, she appeared in “Steel Magnolias” for Cherry Creek Theatre. Her husband also has made quite a name for himself performing for Curious, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, the Arvada Center, Colorado Springs TheatreWorks, Miners Alley Playhouse and many others. He won a Henry Award in his very first Denver appearance, starring in “9 Circles for Curious, and True West Awards in 2014 and ’17. Juliet Wittman of Westword called Sean’s work in Curious’ “Bug” a “brain-searing performance.” His most recent performance was in “Amerikin” at Curious. He’s just begun his ninth summer season with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival, making audiences howl as Dogberry in “Much Ado About Nothing,” and, you soon will see, eliciting very different emotions as Edgar in “King Lear.” Both are longtime teaching artists for Denver Center Education. They are the parents of Liam, and recently lost their longtime feline companion, Basil.
Basil’s medical story: On June 7, 18-year-old Basil required an emergency vet visit after he stopped eating. “The very next day,” Devon said, “we had to make the very hard decision to put him down.” The overall out-of-pocket cost for medical cremation services came to $1,272.66. Because most every vet hospital requires payment up front, the couple was forced to put the expense on a high-interest credit card.
How we helped: The Denver Actors Fund Board unanimously approved a grant to fully cover the $1,272.66 cost from our new PAWS Fund.
‘WITH THIS SUPPORT, WE’RE ABLE TO REST A BIT EASIER THROUGH OUR LOSS AND FOR THAT, WE ARE ENDLESSLY GRATEFUL. – DEVON JAMES‘
A message from Devon: ““We are so thankful to the Denver Actors Fund for supporting us through the unexpected loss of our family member, friend and companion, Basil. You know that end-of-life care is inevitable, but it’s always a bit more complicated than you anticipate. With this support, we’re able to rest a bit easier through our loss, and for that, we are endlessly grateful. Love, Devon, Sean and Liam.”
What is the PAWS Fund?: The PAWS Fund is a new, separate fund administered by the Denver Actors Fund to help qualified Colorado theater artists (both on- and off-stage) with sudden veterinary medical expenses. It launched last month with $35,000 in seed money, of which $12,760 has been since distributed to qualified applicants. We have also received an infusion of $2,000 in donations, which gives the PAWS Fund a present balance of $24,240. If designated donations to the PAWS Fund continue to come in, it will grow and continue indefinitely. If not, it will expire whenever the balance is gone. If you would like to help us keep it going, simply mail checks in any amount made out to Denver Actors Fund, P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80212, Please write “PAWS Fund” in the memo field. Or use this donation link, with our humble thanks. When you donate online, be sure to use the pull-down menu that gives you the option to specifically designate your donation to the PAWS Fund by choosing “Domestic Animal Medical.” Otherwise, as always, your donation will go to the General Fund and will be reserved for our primary mission, which is paying qualified applicants’ own (human!) medical bills.
Read testimonials from other Denver Actors Fund beneficiaries here, or click on a recent name below:
BRITTNI AND LAVOUR ADDISON, $13,361
The Denver Actors Fund has now made $1,125,000 available to Colorado theatre artists.
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.
HOW YOU CAN HELP US REPLENISH:
To DONATE the Denver Actors Fund, please CLICK HERE (with our humble thanks)
ABOUT THE DENVER ACTORS FUND:
Video above: The Denver Actors Fund receives the Colorado Theatre Guild’s 2016 Community Impact Award.
The Denver Actors Fund is a source of immediate, situational relief when members of the local theater community find themselves in medical need. To date, the Fund has allocated more than $1,125,000 to more than 550 artists facing medical need. In addition to financial relief, a team of more than 100 Denver Actors Fund volunteers offers good neighborly assistance 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
MORE WAYS TO HELP:
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. 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.
DONATE YOUR CAR
The Denver Actors Fund is now registered to accept vehicle donations, thanks to a new partnership with Vehicles for Charity. You can turn your unwanted but usable vehicle into greatly appreciated funds for The Denver Actors Fund. The process is simple. The DAF will receive 80 percent of auction proceeds, and a receipt for the donation will be sent to you that can be used for tax purposes. Read all about it here.
VOLUNTEER:
Ever thought about taking a more active role in the Denver Actors Fund? Click here for more information
COME TO THE EVENTS THAT SUPPORT US:
MONDAY, JUNE 26: Our faithful friends at Firehouse Theatre Company have designated their Industry Night performance of “Charity” as a benefit, with 100 percent of proceeds going to The Denver Actors Fund. “Charity” is the final play in Evelina Fernandez’s “A Mexican Trilogy,” picking up one family’s century-long story as the world is mourning the death of Pope John Paul II. (No need to have seen the other parts to follow the story.) “Charity” is directed by Su Teatro veteran Debra Gallegos and features longtime company favorites Yolanda Ortega, Magally Luna, Phil Luna, David Carrasco and Cipriano Ortega alongside Fabian Vasquez, Jordan Hull, Adriana Gonzales and Kinari Rima. Please note this production is at the John Hand Theater, 7653 E. 1st Place, Denver, 80230. “Charity” tickets are only $15 (normally $25) on this night only. Order yours by going to https://firehousetheatercompany.ticketspice.com/mexican-trilogy-charity and be sure to choose Monday, June 26. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Thank you to all involved, including cast, crew, creatives, staff and Producing Artistic Director Helen Hand for your steadfast commitment to helping the DAF to help Colorado theater artists!
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.
