January 17th, 2025 A Message from President Pat White Dear 764 members,I’m writing to make an urgent plea to each one of you to make an immediate donation to help our IATSE kin who have been tragically affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. All donations, large or small are urgently needed to support those who have lost everything.My heart is breaking, having just participated in a sobering webinar for IATSE leaders led by International President Matt Loeb and other International officers. As I write, we know of 315 IATSE members who have lost their homes during the past ten days. 8,100 live or were living in the evacuation zones, and about 5,000 are still evacuated. This includes some Local 764 members. The situation is dire, and the IATSE community is helping in as many ways as we can. You can see all of the ways to help by visiting the special IATSE webpage at https://iatse.net/socal-fires/ where there is also an extensive list of resources for any affected persons, if you have friends or family suffering the effects of this tragedy.The best way for most of us to help from 2,800 miles away is to give money, immediately. I know that work has been slow for many 764 members, and that everyone has financial obligations of their own. Some of us already give generously to personal charities. But—imagine if you had gone to work 10 days ago and had never been able to return to your home. Imagine if you needed to leave home in a matter of minutes, with only the possessions you were able to quickly scoop into a bag. Imagine losing all your possessions, including the roof over your head.Other locals were there for Local 764 workers after Hurricane Sandy and 9/11, and we must stand with our LA kin now. I know many of you, and I know your good hearts, and I know you will help.Whether you can give only $5.00 or can give a huge amount, please do it, and do it as soon as you can. The need is urgent. Local 764 is making a large donation, but we can do so much more if each of our members chips in. If you have already contributed , thank you. If you have not, I ask you–please. All amounts, small and large are appreciated and put to immediate good use helping members.Thank you.In Solidarity,Pat WAYS TO GIVE The IATSE’s WALSH DITOLLA SPIVAK FOUNDATION provides financial support for IATSE members in need due to catastrophic natural disaster situations. Members may donate directly to the fund either through the IATSE or Local 764. Through the IATSE: Pay by check:Make your check out to: Walsh DiTolla Spivak Foundation. In the memo write “Wildfire Relief.”You may mail it to the IATSE office with ATTN: Wildfire Relief: Through the IATSE Paypal Link: To pay by payment link: A NOTE ON SCAMS If you receive a Go-Fund-Me or other crowd-sourcing donation request for a particular person, check with that person to make sure they know the account exists. |