Jay Tavare and The Warming Hearts Firewood Program

Introduction by Margaret Johnson Doran

As celebrity spokesperson for the Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program, Jay Tavare has become so familiar to patrons, volunteers and staff at the Annual Navajo Rug Show and Sale, that it's easy to forget the rest of the world knows him for something else entirely. And it's no wonder; Jay is a master at putting people at ease and making sure everyone enjoys the moment.

When conversation eventually does turn to the topic of Jay's career, it's inevitable that somebody remarks, “I didn't realize that was YOU in all those movies!” But it's true. Since 1994 Jay Tavare's name has been consistently associated with some of the the highest quality productions to come out of Hollywood.

Oscar winning films like The Missing, Cold Mountain, and Adaptation, for instance, all have something in common aside from the gold statues - -Jay Tavare in a starring role! Renowned Hollywood directors Ron Howard (The Missing), Steven Spielberg (Into the West), Anthony Minghella (Cold Mountain), Spike Jonze (Adaptation) and Marcus Nispel (Pathfinder) all know Jay Tavare as a remarkably determined and professional actor possessing uncommon versatility and undeniable talent. Steven Spielberg has more than a passing acquaintance with Jay, too, having hand picked him for his lead role in the Emmy winning mini-series, Into the West.

As an actor, Jay has played many nationalities—Cuban, Arab, Spanish, French/Spanish, Chiricahua Apache, Cherokee, Cheyenne, Seminole, Lakota and Wampanoag—giving each one complete dedication to authenticity. In real life though, it is the American Indian community that holds Jay's attention when it comes to activism and philanthropy. Those around Jay know that his hope is that whatever acclaim he achieves can be used for the  greater purposes of supporting the Native community, fostering intercultural understanding and naturally, for raising funds for those in need.

Jay and “Warming Hearts” by Masuda Medcalf

In May 2010, as Jay and I discussed his involvement in the 21st annual Navajo Rug Show and Sale, “Weaving World Peace,” he told me that he wanted to do more this year; he wanted to make a real difference and help the Navajo Elders in some significant way.  He mentioned Wendy Sanborn’s Walk in Beauty Program and how impressed he was that the program has benefited Navajo school children.  He said he wanted to come up with a similar worthy program for the Elders. 

I conveyed Jay’s thoughts to ANE's director, Linda Myers, who promptly observed that the Elders needed firewood, and although ANE has had corporate donors who have given funds towards firewood, and ANE also receives donations for firewood through Internet sales and ornament sales at the Rug Show, we have never had a booth at the Rug Show specifically for firewood.  Linda also mentioned how difficult the 2009-2010 winter had been for the Elders due to the big snowstorms that made roads impassable. 

When I told Jay about the need for firewood, he immediately embraced the idea.  Next, Margaret Doran, one of Jay’s chief supporters, and I talked about how to promote the program with Jay’s supporters on his Internet sites.  We realized we needed a good name for the program.  Margaret blurted out “Warming Hearts”; Linda and Wendy liked it and we were on our way.  I contacted another of Jay’s supporters, our beloved Rosita Van den Burg of Holland, who promptly agreed to create a logo for the Warming Hearts Firewood Program.  Our own Joyce Trapman took Rosita’s drawing and created a line drawing from it so that we could use it as a poster for the upcoming Rug Show.

To get the word out about Warming Hearts, we drafted a note and a donation form for Jay to post on his websites asking his supporters to help raise money to keep the Elders warm this Winter.  Jay has and his supporters are continually re-posting the information on his sites, and we have seen many donations come into our offices.  Several of us also came up with unique fundraising ideas.  Rosita pledged to Warming Hearts all funds from sales of her work creating logos for businesses.  Rosita alone has raised over $800.00.  On September 11, 2010, I brought my love for Zumba (floor aerobics with Latin and International music) together with my love for ANE, and held a Zumbathon with the help of other Zumba Instructors and ANE volunteers.  Several businesses in town helped sponsor the event with water, fruits, snacks and door prizes, including Smith’s, Dan’s, Ream’s, Café Rio, Sizzlers, the College of Massage Therapy, and Avon. We raised $500 that day for Warming Hearts and had a great time.

 

 

Recently, Marsha Madsen, another of Jay’s supporters came up with an idea to help sell cookie dough through an online service and then to notify all who wish to purchase cookie dough that they can choose to donate a portion of the company's profit to Warming Hearts.  Marsha will soon post information about the cookie dough website.

On his part, Jay has been on a media blitz.  He has had over ten radio interviews, each time talking about ANE and his focus this year, the Warming Hearts program.  Each interview has been in depth, sometimes running a full hour.  Below is a list of the interviews and an archives link if you want to listen to any of them.

September 16, 2010
* "CAN THE PARAMEDICS PLEASE COME TO THE SET?" : Ethan Dettenmaier with JAY TAVARE

* The Sheena Metal Experience with JAY TAVARE

October 1, 2009
* A CONVERSATION WITH JAY TAVARE: Neyom Friday with JAY TAVARE

October 19, 2010
* The Mother Love Show with JAY TAVARE (second hour)

October 25, 2010
* Voices of the Hoop - Kelli Healing Doe Bennet with JAY TAVARE

October 27, 2010
* Sheena Metal with JAY TAVARE
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J a y   a n d   G u e s t   I n t e r v i e w s
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September 30, 2010
* BENNY AND THE JETS! : Ethan Dettenmaier with JAY TAVARE and BENNY The JET

September 23, 2010
* "GOOD MORNING TOMMY LEE JONES!" : Ethan Dettenmaier with JAY TAVARE and ROD RONDEAUX

* Sheena Metal Experience with JAY TAVARE and ROD RONDEAUX

October 1, 2010
* The Sheena Metal Experience with JAY TAVARE and AROS CRYSTOS

This last week, my brother-in-law, Al Malmberg, a Fox News Radio Host based out of Fort Collins, CO, interviewed Jay for half an hour.  Jay and Al had a famous time together talking about ANE, Warming Hearts, and the upcoming Rug Show.  They even recognized Becky Harris and Marjorie and Norm Schneider, who are Ft. Collins residents and ANE volunteers.  After the interview, both Jay and Al called to say what a great interview it was and told me of their plans to do it every year.  Al also mentioned that Jay is an excellent spokesperson for ANE; that he truly believes in the program and sells it to his listeners.  The interview aired Sunday, October 31, 2010.

On October 8, 2010, Jay and L.A. Talk Radio Host Ethan Dettenmaier (right, below) hosted a red carpet event for celebrities at the Combat Radio - Combat For a Cause, held at the John Lovitz Comedy Club - Universal City Walk in Los Angeles, CA. 

 The cause was the Adopt-A-Native-Elder Program and Warming Hearts.  Joyce Trapman and I helped prepare ANE and Warming Hearts flyers and envelopes for 8,000 guests.  Boyd Mitchell prepared and donated posters, banners, and photos so that Jay and Ethan could present our cause to all who attended the party.  We are beginning to see the donations coming in the mail now.

(Find out more about Jay's work and upcoming projects at www.JayTavare.com and Facebook – Actor, Writer, Jay Tavare and www.SacredPowerMovie.com)