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Behind the Scenes has just reached a major milestone–the charity has now awarded $1,000,000 in grants to our colleagues in need. This is an accomplishment that would not have happened without the support of the entire industry and of which it should be extremely proud.

That $1,000,000 has kept so many from becoming homeless or having their heat and lights turned off. It has ensured others continue to receive needed medical care, medications or physical therapy. And it has helped to bury some with dignity.

Grants have been provided to individuals working in every facet of this industry–from live events to motion picture and television production, broadcast, concert touring, corporate events and much, much more. These industry professionals have come from all across the US and Canada.

None of this would have been possible without the support of our industry. Every person or organization who has made a donation, bought a raffle ticket or a holiday card, organized or participated in a community fundraising event, or become a Pledge-of-Support Partner has made it possible for Behind the Scenes to bring help and hope to our colleagues during some of their most difficult moments. Join those who have made a difference at www.behindthescenescharity.org/donorsand help us reach the next million in caring.

Behind the Scenes is also helping our colleagues who are seeking financial assistance to enter mental health or addiction counseling and we are working to develop a mental health and suicide prevention initiative that will provide information and resources to those in need or who are concerned about their colleagues.

The 5th annual Rock Lititz Community Battle of the Bands featured six bands, three stellar judges, two food trucks, and almost 600 attendees. At least fifty percent of each band were members of the Rock Lititz Community and the attendees were community members, their family and friends. Behind the Scenes was the big winner of the evening, receiving the entry fee, half of the 50/50 raffle, donations, and proceeds from swag sales which totaled over $4500 for the charity.

Greg Zittle, Senior Sourcing Manager at TAIT, explains, “The Rock Lititz Community Fun Club gets the opportunity to put on a variety of events for the community to enjoy each other’s company and escape the typical fast paced environment of the live event industry. The Behind the Scenes charity was selected as the beneficiary for the 2019 Battle of the Bands based on the great response from our community members to the recent survey regarding mental health. The event showcased a variety of talents within the Rock Lititz Community, and using those talents to have fun and support organizations we believe in is the main goal of the Fun Club!”

Rock Lititz General Manager Andrea Shirk commented, “The Rock Lititz Community is dedicated to supporting the live event industry, through work, trainings, building relationships, and creating a support structure for one another. The effort Behind the Scenes leads regarding mental health is unparalleled, and we are grateful for the opportunity to donate to such an important cause.”

“We are so grateful to the Rock Lititz Community for selecting Behind the Scenes as their beneficiary and for community members providing such a warm welcome at the event,” said Lori Rubinstein, Executive Director of Behind the Scenes.” We are just beginning our work in developing the mental health and suicide prevention initiative and it means a great deal to us to have the participation and support of the Rock Lititz Community in this endeavor.”

Members of Evoke Collaborative recently presented the Behind the Scenes charity with a check representing a portion of the firm’s design fees over the last year, representing their first donation as a BTS Pledge-a-Service Partner.

Evoke is a team of skilled designers, creators, managers, and programmers that help their clients tell stories that resonate in the arts and live event community. Evoke Collaborative provides lighting design and content creation, as well as programming and supervision to theater, music, permanent installations, film, and television. www.EvokeCollaborative.com

Upon presenting the check, Kara O’Grady stated, “Evoke Collaborative is pleased to make this first of many donations in support of our friends around the industry through Behind the Scenes.”

Upon receiving the check, BTS Foundation Chair Rick Rudolph commented, “We are so pleased that Evoke Collaborative has joined us as a Pledge-a-Service Partner. As their name implies, they clearly understand one of the core tenets of our industry – working collaboratively to create an experience and working collaboratively to care for our colleagues in need.”

LDI hosted its first 5k Fun Run to benefit the Behind the Scenes charity on the opening morning of the recent LDI Show in Las Vegas. An intrepid group of industry members showed up at 6am to participate and show their support for their colleagues in need.

“We were so thrilled to host the first annual LDI 5K Fun Run to benefit Behind the Scenes,” says Marian Sandberg, content director for LD/LDI and co-chair of the event. “It was a super-success for year one, drawing more than 60 runners. Special thanks to everyone who turned up to run, plus everyone who volunteered, as well as those who just dug deep to donate a little extra something to this incredibly worth cause. Shout out to Philip Norfolk and Ambersphere Solutions, our beer and donuts sponsor, who also ran and wrangled some unsuspecting folks to join in. It turns out people will participate in healthy activities in Las Vegas at 6am!”

The run brought in over $2600 in registration fees and, combined with donations made during the LDI registration process and LDI’s match of those donations, a check was presented to Behind the Scenes for $4,409.

“We were amazed at the number of people who turned up so early to participate,” said Behind the Scenes Executive Director, Lori Rubinstein. “Our thanks to all the runners, the volunteers, Philip Norfolk and Ambersphere Solutions for their sponsorship, and especially to Marian Sandberg and her team for all their hard work organizing the event. We hope to see all of you and many more at the second annual run!”

At the recent LDI Show, Gray Matter Visual presented a check to Behind the Scenes representing a percentage of their design fees for the second half of 2019, bringing their contribution for the year to almost $7500. Gray Matter Visual is a lighting and production design firm working on corporate and special events, concerts, television, benefits, and more. Founded in 2010 by Brendan Gray and based in Brooklyn, New York, GMV works with clients all over the US and beyond to realize their visions.

Upon presenting the check, Brendan Gray, Principal Designer and President, stated, “Our designs don’t exist without the dedicated efforts of so many in our industry. We’re proud to continue our support of Behind the Scenes and the important work that they do. I hope that others in our position can be inspired to do the same.”

Tobin Neis, a member of the Behind the Scenes Board of Directors, commented, “We are so excited about the level of commitment that Brendan and his team at Gray Matter Visual have made to Behind the Scenes. They are setting a tremendous example for the design community to follow and a clear message of caring to those that work to bring their designs to life.”

Every time someone buys one of LiteGear’s popular LiteMat fixtures they are helping an industry colleague who is seriously ill or injured. That’s because LiteGear has pledged a portion of the profits of the sales of all LiteMat fixtures to Behind the Scenes and at the recent LDI show they presented a check to the charity for $10,000. LiteGear’s ongoing support of the charity through its Pledge-a-Product Program represents an incredible commitment by the company, its employees and its customers to care for their colleagues in need.

LiteGear Inc., are designers and builders of LED lighting products for professionals in the Cinema, TV, and HD Video industries and are pioneers behind the popularization of flexible LED lighting for use in Cinema and TV lighting applications. The LiteMat fixtures are designed to offer soft yet controllable light for location or studio work. Available in 6 sizes, these bi-color LED fixtures are made of a composite of polypropylene and sheet aluminum making Series 2 LiteMat and LiteMat+ one of the thinnest and lightest luminaires in its category. Learn more about LiteMats at www.litegear.com.

Upon presenting the check, LiteGear CEO, Mike Wagner, stated, “Many of our customers are like family to LiteGear. As the company was started by a group of filmmakers, we take great pride in supporting charities like Behind the Scenes, which directly supports those in the field.”

Lori Rubinstein, Executive Director of Behind the Scenes, commented, “Once again LiteGear has demonstrated their heartfelt commitment to ensuring those in need won’t be evicted from their homes or have their heat and water turned off, that they’ll be able to afford medications and doctor visits. Their inclusion of information about Behind the Scenes in every shipment of LiteMat fixtures lets customers know the impact of their purchase and spreads the word that help is available to those in need.”