Wadys Electrical & Mechanical Building Services’ Post

I want to take a moment to highlight an incredible client doing truly meaningful work: Actors PLAYground. Amber Ryan Cepkauskas, the owner and creative director, along with her husband, Matt Cepkauskas, have poured their hearts into creating a space where kids can not only learn the art of theater but also build confidence, find their voices, and develop skills like empathy and teamwork. It’s not just about acting—it’s about helping young people grow into their authentic selves. Amber has deep roots in theater, and Actors PLAYground is her labor of love. This year, they’re going all in: leasing a space, casting shows and seeking grant funding to keep this dream alive. And they’re investing in doing it right—while still respecting the reality of a nonprofit budget. I’ve had the privilege of working with Amber and Matt before, and they are, simply put, amazing humans. And they surround themselves with talented, kind-hearted people who share their passion for helping kids thrive. Getting to collaborate with them on this journey has been a professional high point for me. As many of you know, youth activities are rarely about creating future stars—they’re about teaching life lessons. Theater teaches skills that carry kids forward for life: confidence, collaboration, creativity. Amber and Matt know this, and they’ve built something special that deserves our attention. If you’re looking for a way to support a local nonprofit that’s making a difference in kids’ lives, I highly encourage you to learn more about Actors PLAYground—and if you're so inclined, consider donating to help them continue this important work. Learn more and donate here: https://lnkd.in/gbzXGMeJ   #YouthTheater #Nonprofit #CommunitySupport #ActorsPLAYground #GivingBack #ConfidenceThroughTheater #SupportLocalTheater

Like to share your opinion about theater? Come to the staged reading of a new work, A Christmas Carol for Edgar Allan Poe, stay after and let us know what works, what doesn’t! Help us make it better! See details from our very own Alex Zavistovich, below.

Sometimes coincidences are just too extraordinary.   This week, I was surprised by a beautifully wrapped Christmas gift by one of our Pledgers. Inside I found a copy of A Christmas Carol, and a note. It said that only on re-reading it as an adult, did they realise that it's not just a Gothic horror - but set out Dickens' philosophy of social responsibility, which is the idea that people are accountable to each other and have a duty to help one another, and that business has a particular role to play.   “Mankind was my business. The common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance, and benevolence, were all my business. The dealings of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business!”   And then, yesterday Thought for the Day was the Rev Jayne Manfredi reflecting on Scrooge's questions - “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?” in response to two gentlemen asking for a donation to help the poor during Christmas. She remembers her earlier career, teaching, and the young people, often boys, who start off on a path to exclusion and often prison. It's a staggering three minutes and I've linked to it below so you can listen too. Fair warning - I'm on my fourth listen, and I've cried every time.    As Christmas nears and a break beckons - I'm tired, and I'm looking forward to a rest. But I'm also looking forward to driving this forward again in January.    We're building a pipeline of investments that will help to improve the life chances of pupils who are excluded, in care, have come out the other side of care, who are at risk of homelessness, or already are.    And we'll be doing that fuelled by investments from local government (more on that soon), from forward-thinking local businesses (ditto), and from institutional impact investors who are helping to make change happen. And by donations and pledges of future wealth from Cambridge's innovation community and beyond that inspired that lovely gift. There is so much work to do.

Another opportunity to see Doug Menuez' "Because of You, I Am" Film! FOR A FILM SCREENING of “Because of You, I am” by filmmaker and artist Doug Menuez and executive producer Pear Urushima. The film is a short documentary about Roy and PJ Hirabayashi, founders of San Jose Taiko and pioneers of North American taiko, a form of drumming with roots in Japanese culture that is influenced by other notable genres. Taiko is more than a musical form for the Hirabayashis – it is about way of life and a medium of expression that allows you to find your voice. Following the film screening, Pear, Doug, PJ and Roy, will have a conversation about the film, PJ & Roy's 50 years of taiko, and what’s next for them. How to Join: LINK IN BIO - Please note that you must be signed in to your AARP.org account or create an account to register for events. AARP membership is not required. https://lnkd.in/gCnvuDRV

Without you, there is nothing. If you need help, or just someone to talk to, reach out. 🩷 #wellbeingmatters #eventindustry #eventfreelance #eventmanagement #eventoperations #freelance #awareness #support #love #musicsupport #audience #crew #help #music #business #career #environment #festival #event #mentalhealth #addiction #recovery

I am challenged by the continuing assault on artists for the views they express in their work. In the case of comedians, such as Rob Schneider, the art is comedy and its performance. I understand that some people are offended, but as Rowan Atkinson of "Mr. Bean" fame said, "free speech without the right to offend is not free speech at all." People have the right to not like an artist's work. They have the right, as people did in this case, walk out of the performance. But forcing the hospital to apologize for booking the artist is a step too far - in my opinion. Instead, performances such as these are best used - if you are offended - as stages for public debate, not a demand for apologies or cancellations. We will be all better for it. Let's not focus on wars of culture, but rather identify problems and discuss solutions. Good art raises these questions - which is what Mr. Schneider did. https://lnkd.in/dKKUxebr

1 Corinthians 13 King James Version 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity(love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Helps to put into perspective from a professionals point of view, how peer support is the key to success for families going through life changing experiences.

I launched a campaign for a small group today, and in just two hours, we raised $1,075—20% of their goal! Here's what I did: -Focused on a specific goal. -Chose a platform with fees that could be assumed by the donor. -Made the goal something our entire community could rally around. -Did a two-day warm-up on social media. -Followed up with anyone who engaged with our posts. -Emailed two people with a direct ask. You might think we were just lucky because one donor gave $1,000, but this isn’t a fluke. In the last two campaigns I ran, we saw similar success—raising significant amounts from one or two early donors ($500 or $1,000) within the first day. Here’s the secret: Big donors need clear asks. Be transparent about what you need and why. Momentum matters. Early success builds excitement and drives more donations. Engagement builds trust. Personal connections and follow-ups make all the difference. If you’d like to follow along, here’s the link to the campaign: https://lnkd.in/g-Y78NMP. Our goal is to be fully funded in 30 days. Got questions about running your own campaign? Drop them below—I’d love to help!

Watch this short video to understand what I want to fundraise for, it’s an incredible charity working to serve those in need. https://lnkd.in/eSjyVYmQ https://lnkd.in/e6Fzw27N