By Design Day 2012 - It's Almost Here!

If you haven't signed up yet for By Design Day, the annual fundraising day for Behind the Scenes in the US and Canada and Light Relief in the UK, don't worry -- you still have time!

Taking place this year on Tuesday, April 24, on both sides of the Atlantic, By Design Day focuses attention on the various ways that individuals can support the two organizations that are dedicated solely to helping entertainment technology professionals in need.

Whether you prefer to make a personal donation, hold a collection at your place of work or, if you are a designer, simply support the day by voluntarily giving a day's royalties to one or both of these charities, it's the action (not the thought) that counts.

Behind the Scenes aids professionals based in the US and Canada working in any area of the entertainment technology industry while Light Relief is there for those involved in the UK lighting industry.

By Design Day 2012 has the full backing of a host of award-winning designers, including Neil Austin, Ken Billington, Paule Constable, Wendall Harrington, Howard Harrison, Don Holder, David Korins, Scott Lehrer, Ken Posner, Jennifer Tipton and Hugh Vanstone, along with Light Relief's co-founder, Rick Fisher.

Light Relief Day was first organized in the UK five years ago to honor the memory of the charity's founder Tony Gottelier and quickly gained support. Two years later the US and Canada joined in, to raise funds for Behind the Scenes. Now, By Design Day is supported internationally with donations from designers with productions all over the world. To date Behind the Scenes has issued over $240,000 in grants to professionals working in all disciplines, while Light Relief has awarded more than £40,000 in grants to help lighting professionals and their families.

Put Tuesday April 24, 2012 in your diary for By Design Day.