DAF purchases portable respiratory equipment for Phamaly co-founder
Aid recipient: Denver native Kevin Ahl, who has had cerebral palsy since birth, is one of the founders of Phamaly Theatre Company, which for more than 30 years has been a creative home for theatre artists with disabilities. He and fellow founders Kathleen Traylor, Gregg Vigil, Teri Wagner and Rick Britton were schoolmates at the Boettcher School, which at the time was seriously called “The Boettcher School for Crippled Children.” Since then, Kevin has performed in dozens of their shows, most recently in “Annie” in 2017 at the Denver Center’s Stage Theatre. Other Phamaly titles have included “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” and the sketch comedy “Vox Construction.” Kevin also has appeared in the annual Magic Moments musical revues. He attended Red Rocks Community College.
His medical story: Kevin and his wife, Pamela, are both in wheelchairs, and Kevin is recovering from surgery in November. On top of all that, he has recently become a full-time oxygen user – and his insurance company refused to cover the cost of a Portable Oxygen Concentrator. “When you are in a wheelchair full-time, carrying oxygen tanks is very difficult,” Kevin told us.
How we have helped: Working by the recommendation of Kevin’s doctor, The Denver Actors Fund purchased an Onogen One G3, 16-cell Portable Oxygen Concentrator at a cost of $2,465, with accessories.
A message from Kevin: “Thank you, Denver Actors Fund. This new Oxygen Concentrator will make me able to get out in the community again and not be forced to stay home because of how many oxygen tanks I have. Your continuous generosity is amazing. Thank you for letting us continue to live our lives to the fullest.”
The Denver Actors Fund now has made more than $475,000 available to Colorado theatre artists in medical need.
How you can help us help us help more Colorado theatre artists: If you would like to direct a specific donation to help give Kevin and Pamela some additional breathing room as he continues his surgical recovery treatment, simply mail checks in any amount made out to The Denver Actors Fund (with Kevin Ahl’s name written in the topic field), to P.O. Box 11182, Denver, CO 80211. Or use this donation link. If you use the online option, be sure to designate that your donation is targeted for Kevin Ahl. (He will receive 100 percent of your donation.) Otherwise, your donation will be applied to the replenishment of the Denver Actors Fund’s general fund, 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.
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 $475,000 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 INSTANT, FREE 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*:
SUNDAY, APRIL 26: True story: A few months ago, the local band Gin & Tonix did a show at the Clocktower to benefit the DAF, and I wasn’t sure I could make it so I didn’t book in advance. I dropped in just before the show began to buy a ticket at the door, and the woman looked at me like I was trying to walk in on Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, BTS, Shawn Mendes and the Wu-Tang Clan all at once. The look on her face was priceless. The event was was way sold out. “Gin & Tonix sells out every time,” she said. Point taken. So who is Gin & Tonix? A group of talented musician friends and family who have made music together on and off for many years. The band features vocal the harmonies of Morgan Griego, Kacie Thomas, Trinity Thomas, and Eileen Adair, by Madi Spillman on guitar, Ian Spillman on drums and vocals, and Jason Spillman on bass and vocals. The group plays songs by artists ranging from The Indigo Girls, The Eagles, The Avett Brothers and many more. The band will again be donating 10 percent of ticket sales for The Denver Actors Fund and taking a collection as a tribute to the late Amy Malmgren – an original DAF board member, and Jason Spillman’s sister. last time the total was a lucky $777. Gin and Tonix is as passionate about their community and family as they are about their music, which is touching. Now take the advice that is splased across the Clocktower’s web page: BOOK EARLY! GIN & TONIX *WILL SELL OUT IN ADVANCE!* Get your tickets here.
JULY 9-18: Stage Left Productions has announced that it will donate ALL NET PROFITS from the entire run of its upcoming summer musical “Ordinary Days” to The Denver Actors Fund! “We are so excited to work with DAF on such an amazing cause,” says Stage Left Productions Owner Sophia Johnson-Grimes, who founded her company as a place for young theatre artists ages high school through college to let their talents shine, to collaborate, create, build leadership skills and give back to their communities. Every production has a designated philanthropic benefactors. “Ordinary Days” is a refreshingly honest and funny musical by Adam Gwon about four young New Yorkers whose lives intersect as they search for fulfillment, happiness, love and cabs. Through a score of vibrant and memorable songs, their experiences ring startlingly true to life. For more information, go to https://stageleftdenver.com
*All events subject to change
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