Voice Talent affected by fire in So Cal.

[JoeActor]

All - here's a note that Aftra sent out on the topic:

AFTRA
FLASH

October 29, 2007

AFTRA Members Affected by the Southern California Fires and Evacuations

AFTRA extends its sympathies to its members, colleagues, and neighbors who have been affected by the Southern California fires and evacuations. We join in hoping for the safety of all and a speedy recovery.

AFTRA also commends the professionalism and bravery of its broadcast members who have and continue to, often at great risk, report on this disaster, providing the only source of current information and updates for those who have been impacted.

Members in need of emergency financial assistance and social services should be aware of the resources noted below. Please contact each for more information on eligibility qualifications.

If you have friends and fellow members who, because of this disaster, do not have immediate access to this information, please share it with them.

AFTRA's Frank Nelson Memorial Sick and Benefit Fund
(323) 634-8104
Fax: (323) 634-8107
kwinslow@aftra.com
www.aftra.com/locals/losangeles.htm

The Frank Nelson Sick & Benefit Fund provides emergency financial aid and other resources to qualified members of AFTRA Locals west of Omaha. For more information, contact Kathleen Winslow at AFTRA Los Angeles using the numbers noted above.
Members wishing to make donations to assist members in needed should also contact Ms. Winslow at the numbers noted above .

The Actors Fund of America
Western Region(323) 933-9244intakela@actorsfund.orgwww.actorsfund.org
In response to the crisis caused by the recent California fires, the Actors Fund is offering assistance and support to those in the performing arts and entertainment industry impacted by the fires. The Fund will provide emergency financial assistance for shelter, food, clothing, health insurance premiums, and initial resettlement support. In addition, Actors Fund staff members are available to help in a variety of other ways including: assisting with applying to FEMA and other disaster-related benefits; helping in navigating the FEMA process; working with the displaced to find both temporary shelter and permanent housing; emotional support and trauma counseling; and, referrals and coordination with other industry relief funds, such as MusicCares. The Fund will also offer individuals referrals as needed to other industry, government and community resources, and post links to these resources on The Fund's website. Those in the entertainment industry in need of services or support should contact The Actors Fund at (323) 933-9244. Those calling about fire-related emergency assistance will be connected directly to a staff person for immediate help.
Society of Singers
(866) 767-7671 (866-SOS-SOS1)
help@singers.org
www.singers.org
Any individual who has derived his or her primary income as a professional singer for five years or more may qualify for services. SOS helps singers who have financial needs resulting from personal, family, or medical crises. Charitable grants may be provided for basic needs including rent, utilities, medical/dental expenses, substance abuse rehab, psychotherapy and HIV/AIDS treatment. Grants are always paid directly to creditors. SOS is unable to provide assistance for credit card debts, tax debts, loans, voice lessons, demos, head-shots and other music projects. To request an Application for Assistance please call toll-free, 866.767.7671. Applications must be submitted with 5 years of career documentation, current income verification, current bank statements and tax returns, and copies of bills.

Attention San Diego Members:

San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council
(619) 641-0074

The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council has opened a Union Assistance Center for union members affected by the San Diego fires. Any union member in need of assistance should contact the Labor Council's Labor Participation Department at (619) 641-0074 or (619) 641-0095. San Diego members wishing to make donations to support the Labor Council's efforts may bring donations of canned food, diapers/formula, new/packaged personal items, new/packaged toys or games, monetary donations to the Labor Participation Office, 3737 Camino del Rio South, #108, San Diego, California 91208. Call (619) 641-0074 to confirm hours.

Updates on these and other resources will be added to www.aftra.com as they are received.

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Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio

[bobbin beam]

Hi. Wow. This is my first chance to post since we came home. It turns out that I ended up with a huge backlog of work, plus some new things, I was literally working about 12 hours/day for the last week, mostly from one client, who "owned me" for a week. Today I had nothing, except a few auds. It was great, but how strange, to feel like a "voice machine", just cranking out stuff.

But all that work was an excellent diversion in the aftermath of the fires. I am eternally grateful for the firefighters, and a stroke of luck. Clearly this experience was one of the scariest in my life.
I want to thank everyone for their warm thoughts , prayers and well-wishes. There are so many people in San Diego, so close by to where I live, who are friends of mine who lost their homes. I can't even imagine!

Our voice over community is truly remarkable. Thank you. I hope to see you all someday, soon!

[Joe Rodriguez]

Congratulations Bobbin. I'm so glad you made it through relatively unscathed and I am envious that you had so much work. I am hopefull that someday soon, I'll have many great clients that keep me that busy too.

[speechlady]

I'm so glad to hear that everyone seems to have made it through, safe and sound.

PS careful with cleanup - all that particulate matter that was in the smoke, is now the dust and 'stuff' that you may want to clean out of your homes ...be sure to use a good air filtration mask (not the el cheapo types - get a proper one) as you vacuum, dust, and shake out fabrics, carpets, mats etc. to protect your lungs in the aftermath.

[Julie Williams]

Lydia,
You are so awesome to always be posting ways for us to protect our voices!