National vaudeville artists fund (1928)

Twelfth <i^nnual "^^nefit >•$([ CONTINUED Fox, Pantages, Poli, Stanley Company of America, Wilmer e? Vincent, Butterfield, West Coast, Schanberger, Interstate, Gus Sun, M. Shea, Stanley'Fabian, Walter Reade and all other circuits and many detached and independent vaudeville houses, united and co'operating for the success of N. V. A. Week. Great humanitarian and popular impetus was given to this 1928 drive in behalf of the sick and benefit fund of the N. V. A. by the main objective, what might be called the paramount issue, of this countrywide campaign. That chief purpose now is to complete and pay for the new model, modern sanatorium at Lake Saranac in the Adirondack Mountains for the care and cure of tubercular members of all branches of the theatrical profession. N. V. A. Lodge, as this health home is called, emplaced upon a magnificent mountain estate of 50 acres purchased for its present purpose several years ago, is to embody all that nature, architectural skill, exact science and approved modern methods of medicine and hygiene can do for the prevention and cure of tuberculosis. At the disposal of patients of all branches of the stage, as well as of vaudeville, it will contain about two hundred single outside rooms with private baths, sun parlors and individual equipments. When completed, with its perfect furnishment, buildings, land, laboratories and permanent improvements, this supreme and most enduring achievement of the N. V. A. sick and benefit fund will have cost upwards of $600,000. By reason of the long and painstaking plans of architects, builders, medical experts and sanitary authorities, this N. V. A. Lodge is looked forward to as the paragon of 20th century establishments for the care of tubercular patients. Its completion will enable the N. V. A. to centralize its until now scattered in incomplete projects in behalf of ailing members, health camps and isolated hospital accommodations in Colorado, Arizona, California and elsewhere. The economic phase of this mobilization at an ideal spot easy of access to New York City with all of the resources which the metropolis affords, was recognized long ago by the officials of the N. V. A. and those associated with them in planning this perfect sanatorium. Public as well as professional attention has been this year focussed upon this memorable project, an epochal one in the annals of the theatre and expected to set a new standard in the treatment of a most menacing malady. In this Year Book of the N. V. A. and the historic enthusiasm which it aroused throughout the nation, you will find reproduced upon other pages the proclamations, open letters and generous messages of approval given to the N. V. A. and its philanthropic achievements by Governors, Mayors, Senators, Judges and men and women high in the leadership of modern thought and high ideals. None is forgetful of the proverbial generosity of the people of the theatre; none overlooks the vast and tireless work which has been accomplished by the sick and benefit fund of the N. V. A. But it will be observed that they lay special emphasis and endorsement upon the main objective of this 1928 celebration, which is, as it should be, the completion and opening within the present year of N. V. A. Lodge which will he a haven of health and peace for stricken members of all branches of the theatrical profession. By the immensity of N. V. A. Week’s patronage, by these five magnificent public demonstrations tonight, by the oneness of purpose displayed by artists, managers and employees, and by the encomiums of the best minds of the nation, the artists of vaudeville have again been made aware of the place they and their best ideals hold in the minds and hearts of their fellow citizens. They have won and deserved these golden opinions and the best proof of their gratitude is that the N. V. A. and all of its members will continue their efforts to merit the high estate to which they have come.