Unique DAF partnership helps another Colorado theatre artist return to dental health
Aid recipient: Hannah Marie Harmon is a Colorado Springs actor who performed in “My Fair Lady” at the Midtown Arts Center in March. (She was described as “As delightful as ever,” by reviewer Tom Jones.) Before that, she sang as Sarah Brown in a concert presentation of “Guys and Dolls” at the Union Colony Civic Center in Greeley. She has also performed with Opera Theatre of the Rockies, Performance Now Theatre Company, Vintage Theatre, The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, the Lone Tree Arts Center and at the PACE Center in Parker, among others.
Her medical story: Hannah was in need of having several cavities filled. But without dental insurance and her family facing other financial challenges, she had no choice but to wait, and the condition worsened.
How we helped: The Denver Actors Fund has a unique, ongoing partnership with Thornton dentist (and former Broadway dancer) Brian Kelly, who each year accepts a limited number of emergency dental cases referred through the DAF as his own personal in-kind donation to the non-profit. Kelly’s goal is to transition every referred patient from gum disease to health. What’s interesting about Hannah’s case is that before she knew to approach The Denver Actors Fund, she visited another dentist who quoted her a cost of $2,263 to have the work done. After Dr. Kelly completed Hannah’s care, he reported the value of Hannah’s treatment as $1,271. This is further evidence, Dr. Kelly believes, of the widespread practice of massive overcharging in the wider dental field. In two years, Dr Kelly has now provided more than $45,000 in emergency dental care (his totals!) to qualified Colorado theatre artists.
A message from Hannah: “Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to Dr. Kelly, his team and The Denver Actors Fund for making it possible for me to get this work done. It has been a huge blessing to not have that pain any longer, and without you it would have been a continuing issue. After my family’s job loss and subsequent loss of health and dental insurance this year, we felt like we had to put our health care on the back-burner in order to make ends meet. This was such a huge kindness. Thank you to The DAF for everything you do to support actors in this community.”
The Denver Actors Fund has now made more than $414,000 available to Colorado artists in medical need.
How you can help us help us help Colorado theatre artists: If you would like to make a donation to The Denver Actors Fund, simply mail checks in any amount made out to Denver Actors Fund to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80212. Or use this donation link, with our humble thanks.
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.
COLORADO GIVES DAY IS COMING ON DECEMBER 10. YOU CAN SCHEDULE YOUR DONATION TODAY.
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 $414,000 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
GET FREE, INSTANT 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!
COME TO THE EVENTS THAT SUPPORT US:
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19: Heritage High School and the Littleton Town Hall Arts Center will present a collaborative concert performance of Jason Robert Brown’s “Songs for a New World” as a one-night-only benefit for The Denver Actors Fund. “Songs for a New World” is a contemporary song-cycle with intriguing characters and unique moments throughout history performed with modern choreography and intense, soaring vocals covering the gamut of musical styles. This concert will be performed by members of the Heritage High School Theatre Department, choreographed by Jessica Hindsley and directed by Andrew Fischer. Brown also wrote the music and lyrics for “The Last Five Years” and “13 The Musical.” Tickets are $12 at townhallartscenter.org
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9: Firehouse Theater Company will hold a 7:30 p.m. Industry Night performance for its new comedy “Calendar Girls,” with all ticket sales going to the Denver Actors Fund. “Calendar Girls,” based on the 2003 British film by Tim Firth, tells of a British women’s group who become a media sensation when they pose nude for a calendar to raise money for a new couch in a local hospital’s waiting room. “Calendar Girls” features Suzanna Wellens, Christine Kahane, Linda Swanson Brown, Linda Button, Michelle Grimes, Erin T. Bell, Mary Campbell, Kristen Mair, Beki Pineda, Rand Moritzky, David Cervera, Brandon Palmer and Jeremy Umansky. The director is Linda Suttle. All tickets are $15. John Hand Theatre, 7653 E. 1st Place, 303-562-3232 or firehousetheatercompany.com
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.
