Continuing Fred Foster’s legacy of caring for entertainment technology professionals in need, ETC presented Behind the Scenes with a check during USITT for $14,937.81, representing the most recent proceeds from the company’s iRFR and aRFR (Radio Focus Remote) applications. Since the launch of the iRFR in 2009, ETC’s mobile app sales have now generated almost $370,000 in donations.

The iRFR and aRFR mobile apps enable convenient, touchscreen-based remote control for Eos family consoles and controllers. You can learn more about the apps from the ETC website and download them from the iTunes or Google Play stores. 

“Behind the Scenes provides great relief to members of the extended entertainment production industry family who are dealing with financial hardship due to injury and illness,” said Kate Foster, ETC’s marketing scenic designer, upon presenting the check on the USITT show floor. “We at ETC are proud that our app sales can continue to support their efforts.”

These funds come at a critical time for the charity, which is experiencing a significant increase in applications for assistance, with many from individuals in extremely dire circumstances. “We are seeing so many individuals with medical bills that have wiped out their savings, and their inability to work due to illness or injury means they can’t cover even the most basic expenses such as rent and utilities,” commented Rick Rudolph, Chair of Behind the Scenes.

Upon accepting the check, Rick expressed the Foundation’s deep gratitude for ETC’s ongoing commitment to its mission, “Fred was our champion from the earliest days of the charity, as he immediately understood the need for it, and we are so grateful that the entire ETC organization has become such a strong supporter. By showing others the care and respect Fred showed them they are carrying on his legacy and creating a lasting memorial.

Members of the Foundation Board of Directors also updated Kate about the recent scholarship awarded in Fred’s honor. The Fred Foster Scholarships help children of grant recipients continue their educations despite their families’ financial hardships. In Leena’s case, her father’s diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia and subsequent bone marrow transplant left him unable to work and to keep up with basic expenses. That meant the family couldn’t afford her tuition so she could complete her last year of nursing school. Behind the Scenes paid her tuition bill so she could.