Broadway Cares Contributes $350,000 to Hurricane Relief and AIDS Service Organizations

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, AIDS and family service organizations in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and the Florida panhandle have either been directly affected by Hurricane Katrina, or have seen an increase (in some cases overwhelming increase) in the assistance they must deliver to their clients as well as those people displaced by the hurricane.

In response to this national catastrophe Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS has contributed $350,000 to aid in the immediate relief efforts and to AIDS and family service organizations throughout the Gulf Coast.

Tom Viola, executive director of BC/EFA said, "Since the hurricane first hit, BC/EFA has been working to make contact with organizations that are part of our National Grants Program throughout the Gulf Coast to see how we can best help. Tragically, in some cases, entire clinics in New Orleans and other coastal cities have been completely destroyed and dedicated employees are working from temporary facilities to try and assist those affected by the storm. Other organizations situated further from the coast have been inundated with individuals and families who cannot return to their homes. BC/EFA will continue working with these and other organizations in the upcoming months to help our friends in the Gulf Coast through this tragic time."

The $350,000 has been earmarked for the following uses:

$100,000 American Red Cross – Hurricane Disaster Relief (contributed on August 30, 2005 in the name of the theatre community)

$195,000 Emergency AIDS & Family Service Organization Grants to 17 organizations – 5 in Alabama; 5 in Louisiana; 2 in Mississippi; 4 in Houston, Texas (who are seeing the majority of the evacuees from the New Orleans Super Dome); and 1 in the Florida panhandle. (Complete list available upon request).

$50,000 The Actors' Fund – Hurricane Relief Fund. The Fund is providing assistance to members of the entertainment community affected by the Hurricane – particularly in New Orleans.

$5,000 The Humane Society. Every year, BC/EFA produces the annual Broadway Barks event that is held in Shubert Alley. The $5,000 is to assist the efforts of the Humane Society to rescue displaced animals.