In addition to the Annual Golf and Tennis tournaments, the DGF also conducts an annual appeal to the members of the Guild in order to fund its mission. Other contributions have come via the beneficiary bequests of deceased members. One recent gift came from the estate of DGA director-member James MacAllen. After having directed over 150 professional stage productions, MacAllen joined the staff at CBS in 1954 during the heyday of live broadcasts and directed iconic shows such as Studio One, Face the Nation and As the World Turns. A member of the DGA since 1960, MacAllen adopted the DGF’s credo of “giving back to take care of our own,” and bequeathed $10,000 to the Foundation.

“Acts of generosity like this allow the DGF to continue providing assistance to Guild members in need,” said DGF Chair John Rich of MacAllen’s gift. “These temporary financial setbacks can happen to any of us. Work dries up for a time, a show is cancelled, a contract ends and we’re faced with a situation of being in between paychecks. But that doesn’t stop the rent payment, food bills or medical insurance. Thankfully, the DGF is there to step in and lend a hand when it’s needed the most, and does so in a way that respects personal anonymity.”

“During the period 2002-2008, the DGF responded to very heavy demands from fellow members, and issued loans totaling nearly $1,500,000,” added DGF Treasurer Gene Reynolds. “We’re separate from the Guild itself, so the Foundation is dependent upon the contributions of our membership and help is urgently needed to continue this important program.”