If you have any questions please

contact us at members AT palhalifax DOT org.

PAL Halifax launched its first major fundraiser in March and it was a great success. Following the lead of the very successful Toronto event, Scrabble® with the Stars, PAL Halifax ‘branched’ out and created its own version – East Coast style!

As you are probably aware, we are continuing to work toward the acquisition of a building and so it was important for us not only to raise money, but also to raise awareness of what PAL means in our community. And so we did. Armed with a brand new logo and slogan, our small but mighty committee (Karine Renton, Tadas Khazanavicius, Luke Brown, Richard Hadley, Jean Morpurgo, Joann Griffin and myself) organized ourselves early last Fall and ventured forth into the world of fund raising.

The response was incredibly positive, opening their Maritime hearts and purses allowing us to boast a sold out event which raised three times the money we had initially hoped for!

The evening was held at Royal Artillery Park, a military officers’ mess in the heart of downtown Halifax. Our host, Jeremy Webb (actor, journalist, host and everyman) did a fabulous job of keeping things moving. Local celebs included: CBC radio hosts, Carmen Claussen, Costas Halavrazos, Peter Togni; CTV Breakfast TV host Jayson Baxter, singer/songwriters Susan Crowe, Raylene Rankin; actors Brian Downey, Hugh Thompson; former Lieutenant Governor Myra Freeman, playwright Wendy Lill, film producer Elizabeth Guildford, journalist Dan Legere and many others. Musical entertainment was ably provided by Lisa MacDougall.

The winner of our games (we had two timed games) was the astonishing Marilyn MacNeill who won a champagne cruise for four to scenic Peggy’s Cove, courtesy of actor John Dunsworth (Trailer Park Boys) along with a box full of Trailer Park DVDs and memorabilia. As well as donating the prize on board his own yacht, John, who considers himself an unbeatable Scrabble® player, challenged the winner to another game!

Marilyn MacNeil and her daughters on the Scrabble prize winning cruise and lunch with Trailer Park Boy’s own Mr. Lahey: John Dunsworth.

Our silent auction was chock-full of ‘artsy’ items, including some original artwork, a costume sketch by designer Robert Doyle of Measha Brueggergosman, a cornucopia of cultural events in the city worth $1400 and a personal consultation with Topiary Garden Store’s D’arcy Poultney, among other funky and original items and services.

Our live auction, courtesy of the generous and delightful Rick Mercer, not only made for some hilarious and dramatic entertainment in the intermission, but it also raised a tidy sum.

All in all Scrabble® with the Stars (Halifax) was a great deal of fun for all concerned. We thank all our sponsors, table sponsors, individual ticket buyers, donors and stars – who together made this event such a success.

Marcia Kash (Chair)

The PAL Halifax fund-raising committee would like to extend its thanks and congratulations to everyone who participated in our fund-raising drive last week in order to raise money and awareness for PAL Halifax.

Particular thanks to Neptune Theatre who kindly allowed us to make an appeal at every performance of the production of Trying from January 31st to February 5th. Thanks also to a team of volunteers made up of colleagues from our member-organizations who came to hold out their hats at each performance, and to the extremely generous audience members who gave willingly and enthusiastically. As a result we were able to collect a staggering $2822.59 – well above our target.

With this kind of response we are hopeful that other member-organizations involved with PAL will be inspired to put together an event of their own.

Any wrap parties coming up? How about a bottle-drive? Don’t forget that PAL Halifax is for all of us who make our living in the performing arts-not just for those in front of the camera or on stage.

It is wonderful to witness such a positive reaction to our plans for PAL Halifax from within our community and from the general public, and to realize that there is great support for our desire to ‘take care of our own’.

Marcia Kash

Dear Friends,

As I am now about to check out of my temporary quarters and move into a different apartment, the time seems ripe to express my appreciation for the magnificent aide that was afforded me at my recent misfortune.

On December 4th last, the house where I had been renting the upper story for the past 20 years, caught fire in the basement. The damage sustained caused the property to be condemned as a dwelling, instantly making me homeless.

Our own Maritime Branch (ACTRA) unhesitatingly lent me its support by securing a bachelor apartment for me for the last six weeks. This not only gave me a more than adequate roof over my head, but also allowed me the time and opportunity to find a new apartment.

I dare not contemplate my situation had not this unstinting helping hand been held out to me. I would like to say here that Gary Vermeir and Richard Hatley could not have been more supportive of my needs.

The magnaniminity of the Association is a wonderful thing to have experienced and to be able to remember.

In connection with this particular occurence, I would like to draw attention to the fact that had we the reality of a PAL accomodation within our grasp, grief and excess spending might have been circumvented.

I am truly thankful

Joseph Rutten
Halifax, 30 January 2003