Sunday, October 3, 2021, saw the return of the 35th annual Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction. The members of USA 829 were excited to once again have a large eight-table booth filled with fabulous donations. We’ve always been a crowd favorite, and our booth was swamped with eager customers. The flea market tables and Grand Auction raised a total of $753,321. Of the 36 organizations participating, USA’s table had the 6th highest total, raising $13,493!
Over 35 years, this event has raised $16.5 million. The money is used for grants to The Actors Fund, local AIDS services, meal programs, and other organizations throughout all 50 states, Washington DC, Puerto Rico and even internationally. If you’d like to know more, go to www.broadwaycares.org/flea.
This was my 10th (and final) year as table captain. Over the years I have had a great time working with co-captains Everett O’Neil, Steve Richetts, and most recently Alejo Vietti. The best part has been meeting hundreds of interesting union members who I otherwise would not have met, as well as interacting with our helpful office staff. The success of our booth has been built on the hard work of previous table captain Gail Fuller and all the other volunteers who from the beginning saw this event as one of the most important public relations events our union participates in. Plus we have fun raising money for a great cause!
With the enthusiasm and amazing talents of our membership, I’m hopeful that USA’s booth will continue to flourish for many years to come. One thing I’m sure of: We all have plenty of stuff crammed in our closets to donate! This has been a fascinating journey, and I’m thankful to all who joined me.
- Eileen Connor
Table Captain (ret.)
Our fabulous BC/EFA volunteers:
Gail Baldoni
Debra Constantine
Antonio Consuegra
Jess Creager
Dianne Finn
Peter Harrison
Adam Honore
Hunter Kaczorowski
Katie Kupferberg
Pat Landers
Daisy Long
Ilana Lupkin
Zoe Morsette
Kevin Rupnik
Julie Saltman
CJ Simpson
Fredda Slavin
John Wright Stevens
Alejo Vietti
Court Watson
Our generous donors:
Frances Aronson
Gregg Barnes
John Lee Beatty
Norman Cherubino
Eileen Connor
Linda Covello
Viveca Gardiner
Jane Greenwood
Kyle Higgins
Estate of Susan Johnson
Edmund LeFevre
Mimi Maxmen
Cathy Santucci-Keator
CJ Simpson
Fredda Slavin
David Toser
David Woolard
Photo captions: Clockwise, at top | USA 829 members Gail Baldoni, Antonio Consuegra, Hunter Kaczorowski, John Wright Stevens and Eileen Connor. Right | An aficionado flipping through boxes with Hunter Kaczorowski at the table. Bottom right | Back row left: Hunter Kaczorowski and Alejo Vietti. Back row right: Eileen Connor and John Wright Stevens. Front row left to right: Julie Saltman, Antonio Consuegra, Katie Kupferberg, Gail Baldoni, Fredda Slavin, Jess Creager, Daisy Long, and Dianne Finn. Left | Katie Kupferberg on the front (with the pile of sketches in her hand) and Gail Baldoni behind her!