$5,000
Donation protected
It started with this post, on Next Door, January 3, Burbank, CA –
Has anyone noticed an older man sleeping on the bench at the bike path…late at night in the pouring rain…under a tarp? He is...homeless. He seems so responsible and organized, he doesn't sit there all day, he only sleeps there late at night?... I know there are a lot of people out there in the entertainment industry and it's pretty cold and there's more rain coming…
Dan Zarlingo is his name and he’s spent his entire career in the business; Set lighting, grip and camera. He went home to Colorado a few years back to take care of his dying mother. After she passed away, Dan turned the house over to the reverse mortgage company and came back to Burbank to resume work. By this time, he had gone thru his savings. He started selling off his lighting packages to pay his bills and keep a roof over his head. Now, the only equipment left are non digital, that no one wants; yet Dan pays the storage every month, because like a mechanic, tools represent work and he can't let go of the thought that he won't work again.
Dan has been homeless for a couple years now. He gets jobs (he worked this week on TelePrompTer), but the shows he works on don't know he's homeless. He wakes before sunrise, walks to the temporary aid center where he showers, does laundry, gets a sack meal and then walks to the library, where he spends his days working the phones and computer looking for work. This man has no association with drugs, alcohol or mental illness; he simply fell through the cracks. More than anything, Dan wants a JOB! He won't take money to stay in a motel, but he will take work.
Here's the thing, Dan has a valid license and is even licensed to drive for Lyft. If we can get him a used mini van, he can haul equipment to shoots, work for Lyft when he needs, AND have a place to live until he gets on his feet!
Let's help Dan. This should never happen; not in our business!! To follow the thread neighbors started, go to NextDoor Toluca Lake. If you have work for Dan, please, please let us know!
Has anyone noticed an older man sleeping on the bench at the bike path…late at night in the pouring rain…under a tarp? He is...homeless. He seems so responsible and organized, he doesn't sit there all day, he only sleeps there late at night?... I know there are a lot of people out there in the entertainment industry and it's pretty cold and there's more rain coming…
Dan Zarlingo is his name and he’s spent his entire career in the business; Set lighting, grip and camera. He went home to Colorado a few years back to take care of his dying mother. After she passed away, Dan turned the house over to the reverse mortgage company and came back to Burbank to resume work. By this time, he had gone thru his savings. He started selling off his lighting packages to pay his bills and keep a roof over his head. Now, the only equipment left are non digital, that no one wants; yet Dan pays the storage every month, because like a mechanic, tools represent work and he can't let go of the thought that he won't work again.
Dan has been homeless for a couple years now. He gets jobs (he worked this week on TelePrompTer), but the shows he works on don't know he's homeless. He wakes before sunrise, walks to the temporary aid center where he showers, does laundry, gets a sack meal and then walks to the library, where he spends his days working the phones and computer looking for work. This man has no association with drugs, alcohol or mental illness; he simply fell through the cracks. More than anything, Dan wants a JOB! He won't take money to stay in a motel, but he will take work.
Here's the thing, Dan has a valid license and is even licensed to drive for Lyft. If we can get him a used mini van, he can haul equipment to shoots, work for Lyft when he needs, AND have a place to live until he gets on his feet!
Let's help Dan. This should never happen; not in our business!! To follow the thread neighbors started, go to NextDoor Toluca Lake. If you have work for Dan, please, please let us know!
Organizer and beneficiary
Leslye Gustat
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Dan Zarlengo
Beneficiary