In the Spotlight Members Celebrate the Season
In the Spotlight (ITS) members ushered in the holiday season on Monday evening with a private cocktail party and a special performance by Tony Award nominated actress Christiane Noll (Ragtime, Jekyll and Hyde) at the beautiful Herman Miller Showroom in midtown. The evening was a chance for members to relax and meet The Actors Fund staff, who were on hand to thank them personally for their continued support.
Click here to view photos from Monday evening.
Play a leading role and join In the Spotlight, The Actors Fund Premiere Giving Society. Contact Barbara Toy, Director of Individual Giving at 917.281.5908 or btoy@actorsfund.org today.
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This past week, Chuck Scarborough invited our President and CEO Joe Benincasa to appear on WNBC’s New York Nightly News to speak about The Fund as part of their New York Nonstop Giving day.
New York 1’s Frank DiLella visited The Home this fall, and spoke with Tony and Pulizter Prize and Tony Award-winning lyricist Sheldon Harnick, who was there for a special visit with residents.
News 12 New Jersey’s John Bathke also visited The Home this fall, and spoke with President and CEO Joe Benincasa, Trustee Bebe Neuwirth and Chairman Brian Stokes Mitchell.
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Thank you for your song suggestions for Joan!
 Joan, an accomplished pianist and a resident of our Lillian Booth Actors Home has always given others the gift of music—whether playing for wounded WWII servicemen or teaching piano to kids. She has never let her failing health get her down, and once a week, she gathers other seniors at The Home for a sing-a-long that fills everyone’s hearts with joy.
We recently asked you to suggest a song for Joan to play for the sing-a-longs. Out of nearly 200 suggestions (with more coming in every day), here are the top three:
Winter Wonderland
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Silver Bells
(With one suggestion for—and we quote— “ ‘We Need a Little Christmas’ and don’t forget Chanukah!”)
Thank you to everyone for your song requests, and click here to suggest if you think of another to share! They mean so much to the elders we serve this holiday season. It will remind them that they are not alone and forgotten. Thank you for participating and Happy Holidays!
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The Actors Fund helps…
 Barbara: An actor struggling with personal loss, life transitions and the difficulties of finding affordable housing learns that help and a new home is there for the asking at The Actors Fund.
“I came to The Actors Fund in unquiet desperation, just before one Thanksgiving, questioning my ability to work anything out, mourning a husband, in need of an impartial, knowledgeable listener, in a word, I was
a wreck. Compassion and expertise took my hand. It was remarkable to learn there are people at The Fund in a position to connect me to services I need, acquire skills I can develop and share techniques for not just coping but evolving, healing and rejuvenating…”
Read Barbara’s story.
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Five Questions for…
David Paterson,
 Screenwriter of Disney’s
The Bridge to Terabithia
Guest donor from Auction of 1000 Stars
Click here and view a video interview with David!
Click here to bid on autographed memorabilia from the beloved children’s film The Bridge to Terabithia, donated by David!
Did you know? David’s mother, Katherine Paterson, wrote the book, The Bridge to Terabithia, and drew inspiration for her novel from a real event from David’s childhood.
Giving the gift of Auction of 1000 Stars
can make someone’s holiday truly memorable!
Bid now through December 15, and your special someone could:
- Get a backstage tour of America’s favorite quiz show Jeopardy! in Hollywood, see a taping and meet host Alex Trebek!
- Celebrate New Year's Eve in Times Square with this VIP Package!
- And so much more!
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Faces of The Fund—celebrating our supporters, in front
of and behind the scenes, helping everyone in entertainment.
 John Lloyd Young
Tony Award winning Actor
The Actors Fund’s National Board of Advisors
Don’t miss Tony Award-winner John Lloyd Young for his intimate “Musical Monday” at the Pantages Theatre on December 13. This critically acclaimed concert series takes place in the lobby of this historic Hollywood landmark, and will feature the talents of this incredible performer. Click here to purchase tickets, and kick off the holiday season in style by joining us for cocktails and song.
John Lloyd Young burst into the spotlight with his break out performance as Frankie Valli, in the long- running hit, Jersey Boys and garnered unprecedented accolades from New York and national media. He went on to win the Lead Actor Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Theatre World Awards, becoming the only American actor in history to win all four major awards for a leading role. John Lloyd plays the title role in the upcoming feature film comedy, Oy Vey! My Son is Gay! opposite Lainie Kazan and Saul Rubinek, and also starring Vince Pastore, Bruce Vilanch, Jai Rodriguez and Carmen Electra. He was also the first guest star to be invited to appear on FOX TV's runaway hit, Golden Globe-winning comedy, Glee, as thumbless cough-syrup addict, "Henri."
John Lloyd serves on our National Board of Advisors, and we’re proud to say this is not the first time he’s donated his talents to The Fund. Click here and view John Lloyd’s heartfelt curtain speech from his Special Performance of Jersey Boys.
Fun fact: Did you know that John Lloyd is also a talented visual artist? His art is now represented by the Hamilton-Selway Fine Art Gallery in Hollywood.
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3 easy steps to spread the word…
Take these three easy steps to spread the word (and get the latest updates) on our programs and services, events and the many benefits of membership!
1. Become a fan! 
2. Follow us! 
3. Invite your friends as fans, to follow, and to join our email list!
(Guess what? There’s something in it for you. We have exciting raffles and prizes in store in the New Year for our social media fans—so get connected and stay tuned!)
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Financial Tips from Wally Munro, Director of Planned Giving
For the full articles, click the headlines below and scroll down to visit the Planned Giving — News and Information section on our website. Contact Wally at 212.221.7300 ext. 128 or email wmunro@actorsfund.org.
Last-Minute Tax Savings for 2010
Congressional inertia over the fate of the nation's tax code has created some enormous year-end headaches for high earners. Many are torn between taking steps to reduce their 2010 tax bill now and pushing off deductions until next year, when they may be worth more if tax rates rise.
The middle-class tax hike nobody's talking about
Get ready for a smaller paycheck. At least that's what could happen if Congress doesn't approve President Obama's proposal to extend the Making Work Pay tax credit soon.
10 Things We Overpay For
Especially in these tough economic times, you don't want to tear through your hard-earned cash. Here are ten ideas to cut costs by paying less for everyday purchases and even little splurges.
How To Protect Your Spouse
In today's world of Internet and iPads, dealing with the financial consequences of a spouse's death is a lot trickier than knowing the code to the safe.
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Letters to "Stokes"
 Dear Stokes,
I heard that we can purchase CD's, books and other holiday gifts from your website and proceeds benefit The Fund. Anything good for the holidays for children?
Regards,
Chrissie E.
Dear Chrissie,
You know I recorded a song by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty to accompany a wonderful children's book, "Lights on Broadway with Brian Stokes Mitchell." It's a great idea for the holidays, and proceeds will benefit The Actors Fund. So your gift is doing a double duty! I’ll even autograph it for you! Click here to purchase all kinds of fund items on The Actors Fund Store.
Happy holidays,
Stokes
 Have a question on your Actors Fund membership? Or maybe a thought to share with your fellow Actors Fund supporters? We’d like to hear from you. Email Brian Stokes Mitchell, our Chairman of the Board, and you could read his response in our next eNews. Letters may be shortened for space requirements.
Please include contact info.
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Mission: The Actors Fund is a nationwide human services organization