The Cast and Crew of “The Cleaner” Auction to Give Back

Below is a press release announcing the cast and crew of The Cleaner in a fund-raising event for EDAR (Everybody Deserves A Roof).

NEW YORK, NY, Sept. 10, 2009 –The cast and crew of the A&E drama series “The Cleaner” have joined together to raise funds to donate two EDAR (Everyone Deserves a Roof) units to the Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles. An auction is currently running on aetv.auction.seenon.com to raise additional funds.

When Co-Creator and Executive Producer Jonathan Prince first saw the EDAR, he knew he wanted to feature it in “The Cleaner.” The unit was featured in “Path of Least Resistance” an episode that aired August 18th on A&E. While filming, the crew became so involved in the cause that they created an on-set auction to raise money for the units. They were able to raise $1000 which allowed them to purchase two of the mobile devices. They will soon present the EDARs are given to their new owners.

In addition, A&E has created an auction website (http://aetv.auction.seenon.com/) where fans can log-in to bid on items including hats, body boards and bags signed by cast members Benjamin Bratt, Grace Park, Amy-Price Francis and Esteban Powell.

The season two finale of “The Cleaner,” premieres on Tuesday, September 15 at 10 PM ET/PT on A&E. In the one-hour episode, William (Benjamin Bratt) must help an old friend (Richard Lewis), who chooses speed over his wife and two kids, get clean. Meanwhile PK (Whoopi Goldberg) attempts to wrangle some of the other addicts William has helped recently for a surprise party in honor of William’s ten-year-sober birthday. Additional guest stars include Gary Cole, Janina Gavankar, Steve Landesberg, Paul Schulze, Jeanette Brox, Michael Beach, Dionysio Basco, Joy Bisco and Annabelle Gurwitch.

Inspired by a true story, “The Cleaner” stars Benjamin Bratt as William Banks, a recovering addict who must balance his unwavering dedication to helping others get clean with an increasingly rocky personal life and the ghosts of his addictions. Banks and his teammates Akani Cuesta (Grace Park) and Arnie Swenton (Esteban Powell) employ an unconventional – and often by any means necessary – approach to getting addicts and those who surround them to realize they’ve reached rock-bottom and help them begin the process of recovery. With every success and failure, William wrestles with his commitment to his work and his love for his wife Melissa (Amy Price-Francis) and their children through an unusual relationship with God.

EDAR (Everyone Deserves A Roof) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides unique mobile shelters to the homeless. Each EDAR is a four-wheeled unit, based on a mobile cart design allowing for storage during the day. The EDAR unfolds into a framed tent-like enclosure with a bed providing a comfortable place to sleep at night .