FAQ
FAQ
1. What is RESCU?
RESCU stands for Renaissance Entertainers Services Crafters United. Pledged to the Health
to the Company. Devoting over nine years to helping relieve medical debt, ensuring accurate
medical billing, and coordinating with certified instructors to bring preventative and wellness
programs to the festival community.
2. What if I need help or if someone I know needs help?
Download the Aid Form which can be emailed or mailed. Simply return the completed paperwork to RESCU with copies of all
medical bills, and RESCUʼs Aid Panel will decide the course of action and assign a portion of
the financial burden to be relieved. RESCU is not able to relieve all medical debt.
3. Who is eligible for assistance from RESCU?
RESCU offers its programs and assistance to ANY Seasonal or Career PARTICIPANT of
Renaissance Festivals, either past or present or anywhere in the country. If you have or had a
participant pass from a festival you could be eligible. If you have retired from Festivals you
could be eligible. RESCU strives to serve this community at the pace of the demand for
medical assistance.
4. Will my personal medical and financial information be kept confidential?
For the privacy and protection of those that apply, RESCU follows the HIPAA mandates and
privacy laws by keeping all information submitted in strict confidence. We do hope those we
assist choose on their own volition to inform others about what we have done to help them.
RESCU cannot share any information without written permission.
5. Who decides the recipients of the funds and how much they receive?
The Aid Panel is composed of a minimum of five trusted Board and Staff members. This panel
uses the provided client information to determine eligibility, to decide what amount should be
given for medical relief, and whether advocacy or other assistance programs are needed.
Cases with ongoing, acute illnesses or lengthy injuries may be given more than one
disbursement and have caseworkers. Review of open cases occur on a quarterly basis.
6. What is a RESCU Advocate?
Once a client is assigned to advocacy, the case manager assesses whether a client can
participate in the process. A client is given the tools and the mentor to make calls on their own
behalf. This has proven to be a rewarding and empowering experience. If unable, an
advocate is assigned to further help the client. An advocate can help perform many duties,
including negotiating medical bills; assisting with confusing medical correspondence;
establishing payment plans; locating prescription assistance programs; and assisting with
applying for financial assistance from hospitals or other organizations.
7. Who maintains control of the funds?
As a federally compliant 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, RESCU Foundation has hired an
Executive Director who assists the Executive Board of Directors to control, maintain, and
monitor all financial activity of the foundation. All 990ʼs are public record and attainable at
Guidestar.com. Show your support of RESCU and leave a review!
8. Why should I donate if there is no specific recipient?
When RESCU began, each local rally raised money that was then disbursed within that
community. Now, all fundraising proceeds are consolidated into one fund and utilized for
anyone in our festival community in medical need. This ensures that a simple booth worker
from a small show gets the same opportunity for aid as an entertainer of high profile from a
large show, if in the same medical dilemma.
9. How can I help?
There are many ways to help. You can donate money, items for auction, or your time.
Donating time may be as little as helping out at a rally or bake sale, or you can volunteer to
help with a number of small jobs that need to be done at any time, or volunteer for one of our
committees. If you have time and vision to offer, you can help us execute the next steps in
growing our organization. Interested in Fundraising or Marketing Committees? Interested in
becoming a Board Member? An Advocate? The RESCU team is a rewarding experience, and
we are interviewing for all levels.
10. How can I volunteer?
You can contact us, or if you are at a show, please talk to any RESCU member
about any help you can offer. Hanging flyers, collecting rally items, researching online
reduced care clinics, network to local doctors and dentists, patient advocacy…there are many
tasks available. What are your skills? What ideas do you have? You can serve on a
committee or the board of directors. RESCU is constantly in search of responsible and
dedicated individuals to join the team. Help us be better!
11. How do I contact RESCU?
You can speak to any of your local
RESCU Reps in person during faire season. Or go here.