The Cause
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) grantmaking has two emphases. The first is The Actors' Fund of America. BC/EFA currently supports five major social service programs at The Fund, each of which provides direct assistance to entertainment industry professionals and performing artists who are dealing with a variety of problems, including AIDS, HIV, and HIV-related issues.
The second major grantmaking effort is the National Grants Program, through which BC/EFA makes grants twice a year to hundreds of community-based AIDS Service organizations across the country.
To learn more about BC/EFA, visit their Web site.
Why We Care
Although, many of us connected on message boards or at fan events, we've gone on to become friends, friends brought together by our enthusiasm for a character and actress who brought something very special to daytime television. We're now a community and we believe community can be a powerful force for good.
In 2004, Renee recorded "The Silence is Broken," a song written and recorded to create awareness, educate and raise funds to help the ever growing population of people with AIDS. In the past, Renee has performed with many of her costars in the annual "ABC Daytime Salutes Broadway Cares." In 1992, One Life to Life brought the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt to Llanview in a story that showed the importance of tolerance and bravery, messages that are still important today.
Why Renee
In her four years playing One Life to Live's Evangeline Williamson, Renee captured the hearts and passions of her fans. And even as Evangeline took the show by storm, Renee used her talent to support many good causes including BC/EFA and "The Silence is Broken."
Renee Elise Goldsberry's departure from One Life to Live after four years of playing Evangeline Williamson left many of us were disappointed and dismayed. Yet even as we continue to write, call and email the show in support of Renee, we sought a way to honor her and use our combined energy to do something affirming.