ALAS hosts fundraiser during tradeshow

June 4, 2008
Casino night raises money for non-profit

The ALAS Casino Night that took place during Expo Seguridad de Mexico provided fun and networking, but more importantly served as a fundraiser for Mission 500, an important non-profit initiative focusing its efforts on the security industry and dedicated to serving the needs of children and communities in crisis.

ALAS donated $500 from the proceeds of the direct bar and casino sales to Mission 500.

"More than 120 persons attended the gala that night and it seemed that everybody enjoyed themselves at the casino tables and networking," said Frans Kemper, executive director of ALAS. "It was a perfect event that we used as a springboard for a great cause."

Several raffle winners graciously donated their prizes back to Mission 500 including an iPod won by Joseph Moore. The plasma TV donated by Samsung GVI was won by Alex Salinas of Bolide. The next day he donated the TV to Casa Hovde to the delight of staff and children when he, along with a group of Mission 500 supporters, went on an emotional and life changing trip to visit abandoned, neglected, abused and homeless children from the streets of Mexico.

In addition, Mission 500 received additional donations during the show including:

$5K from Expo Seguridad Mexico $1K from Safety Expo $1K from Alan Forman for Niños de la Calle $5K from Altronix $1K – a personal donation from Lucy Rivero of Inalarm $1K - a personal donation from Rodolfo Montes of Inalarm

Corporate sponsors and donors toward Mission 500 include Altronix, HID Global, ISC West, LRG Communications, ExpoSeguridad Mexico, SIA (Security Industry Association), Security Products Magazine, and Quaddrix.

Led by George Fletcher and Andrea Ferrando, a group of security industry veterans and volunteers launched Mission 500 in April 2007, an important non-profit initiative dedicated to serving the needs of children and communities in crisis. Mission 500 was originally conceived in the late ‘90’s by Tronex International. Its objective was to reach a goal of sponsoring 500 needy children through World Vision’s child sponsorship program. The company, staff, suppliers, and customers worked together towards a common goal of "giving something back" to the community and the markets they served; others just wanted to help make a difference in a child’s life.

Because of the group’s intimate knowledge of the security industry, they have focused their efforts on this industry. There are eight Advisory council members, comprised of a number of Security Industry veterans who also volunteer their time to lead Mission 500 toward its goal. This group includes: Ron Spiller, Les Gold, Andrea Ferrando, Alan Forman, Richard Hahn, Marc Mineau, Craig Robinson and George Fletcher.