Anne Heche is in a position to help out – so she is.
The actress, who is filming the NBC drama “The Brave” in Albuquerque, is hosting “The Brave Ones for Puerto Rico” on Monday.
Heche has been raising money through crowdrise.com for two weeks. She’s already raised more than $16,000, which is going to those affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico. She is hosting the event with her husband, James Tupper.
“Seeing that I don’t have a personal connection to Puerto Rico, we felt a mutual need to think globally and act locally,” she said. “The devastation wasn’t being addressed and I didn’t know before how easy it was to ask for help when there is a need. When I set up the crowdrise account, within four hours we had raised over $5,000.”
Heche then decided to reach out to NBC to join in the event.
” ‘The Brave’ is an international show and it doesn’t have boundaries or lines,” she said. “James came on board and we wanted it to be part of the community here.”
Heche said Dialogue Brewing joined in to sponsor the event and she began reaching out to people in Santa Fe.
She even got her niece, Natalie Bergman, and her band Wild Belle to perform at the event.
“It just has become a community of giving,” she said. “I love Albuquerque so much. It’s why I have decided to live here. It’s been blessing after blessing after blessing.”
While the event does have a $50 admission, Heche is quick to remind that she wants the event to be inclusive.
“Just by showing up, you are supporting the cause,” she said. “Everyone will be welcome at the door and you can donate in any way you see fit.”
At the event, there will also be a silent auction.
One of the items up for bid is a training session with Mikal Vega and the team from “The Brave.” Vega is the military adviser to the show.
The fundraiser coordinator said there be donations from Santa Fe and Albuquerque restaurants and hotels, as well as a beautiful cape from Silverado, made in New Mexico clothing, a sculpture from Santa Fe and lots of movie and sports memorabilia
Heche said Tate Ellington, who plays Noah on “The Brave” has donated multiple paintings for the auction.
“Not many people know this but Tate is a fine artist,” Heche said. “This event is about Americans helping Americans.”
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