Because the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes proceed in Hollywood, star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has made the most important single donation to the SAG-AFTRA Basis, in response to its president and govt director.
The SAG-AFTRA Basis is a non-profit group related to SAG-AFTRA, however not part of it. The Basis goals to assist present monetary reduction to the union’s 160,000 members by way of an Emergency Monetary Help Program.
When the SAG-AFTRA strike first grew to become official, SAG-AFTRA Basis president Courtney B. Vance and govt director Cyd Wilson despatched a letter to 2,700 of the union’s highest-earning actors, explaining why donations to the Basis might show extraordinarily useful to these in want. Based on the pair, Dwayne Johnson stepped up virtually instantly.
“It was a love fest. It’s like, ‘Man, you’re stepping up in a approach that’s permitting others to know the dire necessity of it,’” Vance stated of his response to Johnson’s donation in an interview with Selection. “That is him saying, ‘In such a time as this, I’m right here and I’m not going wherever, no matter you want me to do.’ And that sends an enormous message to people to do the identical factor.”
Dwayne Johnson’s donation will assist up greater than 7,000 SAG members
Whereas Vance didn’t need to share the precise quantity of Johnson’s donation, Wilson stated that it was “the most important single donation” that the Basis has ever obtained. The Basis grants usually ship as much as $1,500 per particular person member, however a lifetime member can obtain as much as $6,000 if conditions are extra excessive. Based on Wilson, Johnson’s donation will assist an estimated 7,000 to 10,000 members in want of monetary help providers.
“It’s the most important single donation that we’ve ever obtained from one particular person at one time,” stated Wilson. “And what’s wonderful is that that one test goes to assist hundreds of actors maintain meals on their desk, and maintain their children secure, and maintain their vehicles operating. And it’s not misplaced on me that he’s very humble about this, however it’s a solution to get us began.”
Wilson likened the donation and charity to how the Basis operated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and stated that even with Johnson’s donation, there might be extra work to be carried out, because the group might see the strike going “on by way of the top of the 12 months.”
“That is how we did this throughout COVID — among the greatest stars in our business stepped up,” Wilson stated. “For him to step up like that is actually going to get us began within the fundraising that we’re going to wish to do, as a result of every little thing we’re listening to and seeing, we really feel we’ve got to be ready that this might go on by way of the top of the 12 months. We’re going to have to have the ability to assist these folks in the long term. We now have 160,000 SAG-AFTRA performers and that’s lots of people which might be going to wish our assist. This donation is the kickstart we wanted within the first week of what we expect might be a protracted haul.”
Vance additionally praised the continuing efforts from SAG-AFTRA management — together with nationwide president of the union Fran Drescher — and as soon as once more thanked Johnson immensely for his assist.
“I need to thank Dwayne for his large generosity, compassion, and initiative to step up on this important and significant approach for our group. On behalf of the hundreds who might be helped by his historic donation, thanks, thanks, thanks.”
