The ESTA Foundation recently launched Behind the Scenes, a major new initiative to provide financial support to entertainment technology professionals when they are seriously ill or injured. The fund is off to a good start after raising almost $40,000 in a raffle at LDI. Rose Brand and Scharff Weisberg also will make holiday donations on behalf of its customers.

Central to the fundraising effort is the $125,000 Altman Family Challenge Grant. The Altman Family will match all pledges and funds raised in the first year up to $125,000.

The foundation's board of directors started things off with $30,000, the combined contributions of all 11 board members.

The drawing, which included a generous donation from Vivian and George Gill, owners of Stage Equipment & Lighting, resulted in Tina Wright, West Coast regional manager for Rose Brand, winning the first prize of a Harley-Davidson Sportster XL. Second prize, a theatre trip to New York, was won by Debra Picard of DB Sound in Punta Gorda, Florida.

The Long Reach Long Riders (LRLR), a group of industry members who stage an annual cross-country motorcycle ride for charity, will ride July 9 to 18, 2006. Supporters can earmark their contributions for Behind the Scenes. For more information visit www.lrlr.org.

Every year, Rose Brand sends out holiday cards to their customers with a message that a donation has been made in their names to a charitable cause. This year Rose Brand will contribute to Behind the Scenes.

Scharff Weisberg also decided that supporting Behind the Scenes is a great way to pay tribute to their customers this holiday season

Individuals or companies can support Behind the Scenes by making donations online at www.estafoundation.org or by calling 212-244-1421. All contributions are tax deductible.

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