UPDATE — Effective January 16, 2013: Due to overwhelming demand, the Foundation is no longer accepting applications for assistance. Should further donations be made, we will review any outstanding applications.
Nashville, TN — Last week at the IATSE’s Mid-Winter General Executive Board Meeting, General Secretary-Treasurer James Wood and Assistant Department Director of Motion Picture and TV Dan Mahoney reported on the IATSE’s Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, and made a final call for donations for IATSE members still in need. On November 5, 2012, International President Matthew D. Loeb announced that the Trustees of the Walsh/Di Tolla/Spivak Foundation will be providing financial assistance to IATSE members and their families who are suffering serious financial hardship as a result of the devastation from Hurricane Sandy. The IATSE has agreed to donate $10,000 to the Foundation in order to kick start a fundraising campaign that will finance this effort. Since then, 61 IATSE families have received financial aid from the Foundation. We are proud that our members have stepped up to help their brothers and sisters in need. But we still have members who need help. “Many IATSE members have suffered losses” said President Loeb. “Some may face unexpected medical bills or need assistance with the costs of temporary housing. It is our hope that financial assistance from the Foundation will enable these members and their families to better cope with the challenges created by the aftermath of this storm.” A call was made at the board meeting for our local unions and members of the IATSE to contribute what they can to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. This money helps pay for food, clothing, shelter, and other necessities to our members, their families, and their children.
We are asking local unions that have not made a contribution to consider doing so, or for those that have contributed already to consider contributing a small amount more.
Checks should be made payable to the “Walsh/Di Tolla/Spivak Foundation” and be mailed to the Foundation c/o IATSE, 1430 Broadway, 20th Floor, New York, NY, 10018.
Individual members needing assistance should submit a written request to their local union. The Local will then forward the request to the Foundation for review by the Trustees. We thank everyone who has donated time, money, and their effort in helping our IATSE brothers and sisters get back on their feet after Hurricane Sandy.
