handforahand is an initiative that collects donations for a private solidarity fund to support freelance lighting, sound, video and AV technicians, stage hands, production and event workers. These professions are the most affected by the current crisis. Several of them are falling through the federal government aid programmes finding themselves dependent on basic social security through no fault of their own.
The funds of #handforahand are distributed monthly according to the instructions of an independent allocation committee, and quickly and directly reach the people from these professional groups who are most urgently in need of financial aid.
Lightpower and MA Lighting have now joined forces to support #handforahand.
Herbert Marx, Managing Director of Lightpower, explained the commitment: “We want to help those faced with a crisis that came almost from nowhere. While in other places state aid and reserves have helped people and companies to survive the first months of the crisis, it was these freelancers who immediately lost all their income. In #handforahand we see an initiative that specifically supports these same people and ensures that the help gets rapidly to where it is needed most.“
MA Lighting Managing Director Stephan Saremba added: “From MA Lighting’s point of view the support of #handforahand also has international scope as the current situation is a global problem. Our support sends a clear signal that we are aware of the situation facing our industry, and will do our part to improve things as much as possible for the many people affected”.
Dorian Steinhoff, initiator of #handforahand commented on the cooperation with Lightpower and MA Lighting: “We are very pleased to have strong supporters on our side with Lightpower and MA Lighting, who appreciate the needs and hardships of the industry, and have been committed to assisting these for years. On behalf of the whole association I would like to thank Lightpower and MA Lighting for this great commitment in difficult times. Without companies that take responsibility in this way, #handforahand would not have the resources at our disposal to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic for those who are economically and existentially affected.“
Further information about #handforahand can be found here:
www.handforahand.de
www.malighting.com/handforahand/