This article originally appeared in the December 2022 issue of Security Business magazine. When sharing, don’t forget to mention Security Business magazine on LinkedIn and @SecBusinessMag on Twitter.
Every year, Security Business honors and recognizes a handful of the many integrators who are dedicated to giving back to their communities and supporting local and national charitable organizations. That said, there are hundreds upon hundreds more acts of kindness and charity that go unreported.
Our hope is that this annual article will continue to inspire more security companies to consider the importance of community and charitable efforts as part of their missions. Here’s how security gave back in 2022:
San Antonio-based 3Sixty Integrated, a division of Cook & Boardman participated in the Stuffed With Love Drive for Uvalde ISD after the tragic elementary school shooting. Our branch donated over 50 teddy bears, various letters of empathy and cash donations to the Uvalde community in partnership with neighboring school districts – Somerset ISD and Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD.
Delaware-based Advantech, a division of Cook & Boardman, partnered with the Kent County Meals on Wheels program to give ALL of the volunteer drivers the day off and successfully packed and delivered more than 4,000 meals to Kent County Delaware community members.
On Nov. 17, Alert 360 participated in the annual “Sleep Out” event with Covenant House, a non-profit organization that provides housing and a network of supportive services to homeless youths throughout the nation. Alert 360 President and COO Anastasia Bottos participated in the Sleep Out and raised funds for the eighth year. “We believe everyone deserves a safe place to sleep and call home. Supporting homelessBates Security made a company donation in response to three major events in 2022, and then told employees we would match dollar for dollar anything they added. The first was in response to tornadoes in Western Kentucky last December, where Bates and its employees raised $15,650 which was donated to the governor’s disaster relief fund. In response to a July tragedy where three officers and a K-9 officer were killed in line of duty in Prestonsburg, Ky., the company and employees raised $13,760 for a Fallen Heroes Fund that was set up to help the officers’ families. The company also responded to the floods of Eastern Kentucky (see sidebar).
Brady Integrated Security, Greensboro, N.C., has partnered with Habitat for Humanity for over five years. This year Brady entered into a partnership with Wake Technical Community College to sponsor the Donald J. Brady Training Suite and the Brady Commercial HVAC Lab in support of heating, air conditioning, electrical and automation programs. The new educational building will train hundreds of students a year and play a role in creating generations of skilled technicians. Most recently, Brady partnered with Greensboro non-profit, Earlier.org, to support research on an innovative biological test for early breast cancer detection. Brady also continues to aid other organizations such as the 3rd Special Forces Group Warrior Fund, the Adopt-A-Stream program and the Tanger Center for Performing Arts.
Integrated Protection Services of Cincinnati participated in supply drive for Greater Cincinnati Ronald McDonald House at CCHMC (the largest RMHC in the world), as well as a supply drive for Goshen, Ohio tornado victims. The company’s summer party reaised funds and supplies for Eastern Kentucky flood victims, and its holiday party will benefit the Genesis at Work Foundation, which helps high school students with special needs find meaningful work with local business partners.
The Kern Group of Peoria, Ill., designed, donated and installed an integrated Axis network video surveillance and access control solution for Peoria-based Concordia Lutheran School. Concordia is a private K-8 school with limited funds but has the same needs as public schools for adequate security. The school now has a state-of-the-art system securing the building and grounds for the protection of the students, faculty and visitors.
Sage Integration partnered with SIA, Mission500, ASIS, and our clients to reach larger groups in need of support. At ISC West, Sage donated clothing, makeup, and business supplies for SIA Women in Security Forum’s Essentials 4 Job Security giveback to help women of southern Nevada build careers and become self-sufficient. To raise money and supplies for children in need, we have participated in 5K runs, golf outings, and our employees have packed 400 school supplies refresh packs for children in Akron, Ohio, Atlanta, Georgia, and McKinney, Texas. At GSX, the Sage team participated in their Fitness Challenge to support certification scholarships, grants and research for security professionals. We have also participated in book drives and golf outings with clients to raise monies to help children in need.
Securitas Electronic Security (now Securitas Technology) supported The Headstrong Project as part of an annual charitableSecurityhunter of Baltimore, having staff from all over the world, became very concerned when the atrocities started in the Ukrain, and decided to show support to employee shareholder Konstantin Koval and his family, who are from the Ukraine, and sponsored a voluntary giving program. “There are some things that can't be explained with words – they are done, just to help and rescue. Just because we can do it together. Why? Just to make this world a little bit better,” Koval says. “At least, a little bit better. At least, we can try.” Employees were invited to donate any amount and the company donated two dollars for every dollar collected. The monies were given to St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral Humanitarian Crisis Center, where 100% of the donation went to humanitarian support in the Ukraine. “We truly thank Securityhunter – you have been true angels for those in Ukraine,” said Father Volodymyr Steliac, Pastor of St. Andrew and head of the Humanitarian Center.
For its annual charity drive, Stone Security of Utah teamed up with Mission 500 to raise money for children in need across the US. Every dollar we donated as a team, the company generously matched 1:1 up to $5,000. Team Stone rallied and raised 5k and the company matched it.
Send us your stories of charitable and community work over the course of 2023 for the next installment of Security Gives Back: just email them to Editor Paul Rothman at [email protected].