Mission 500 security industry softball fundraiser is Aug. 20

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.—Mission 500, a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of children and communities in crisis, will hold its security industry softball game fundraiser Saturday, Aug. 20, from noon to 3 p.m. at Eisenhower Park in Westbury, N.Y.

Jeff Eichenlaub, Mission 500 director of strategic partnerships, told Security Systems News that he would like to build on the success of last year's inaugural event, which had 40 corporate sponsors, and raised $75,000.

“Our goal this year is to reach $100,000, and to continue to engage the security industry, which has been very supportive of Mission 500,” said Eichenlaub. “Another goal this year is to inspire more people to attend, and support what the industry is doing by coming together in unity for a great cause. So we have the players, which are great, but we are hoping to get more families and other employees involved—inspire more folks to give back—whether it is Mission 500 or something else.”

Eichenlaub says that a number of sponsors have stepped up already to renew their sponsorships for this year, noting “we have seen a great response of people and companies coming back to support the event.”

Sponsorships are available at the bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels. Gold-level sponsors are each allowed one player to participate in the game, and platinum-level sponsors each have the opportunity to put two players on the field. Player numbers will be capped at 30, with 15 players on each team. Companies can support and sponsor the event from near and far in many ways, and the company or sponsor that raises the most funds will take home the MVP Trophy.

This year there is a unique sponsorship opportunity for a company interested in supporting a backpack build for children in need, which was a big success at last year's event, Eichenlaub said.

“This year we are going to be building backpacks that will go to a local Long Island beneficiary,” he explained. “I call it tangible philanthropy, because monetary gifts are great but when people get a chance to wrap their arms around something the kids will actually receive, such as a backpack or a food kit, for example, it is pretty inspiring.”

Overall, the game gives the industry a chance to come together for a fun event that raises money and awareness for a great cause. Proceeds generated by the event will benefit children and families in need across the country, as well as locally to schools in the Nassau County area in New York in need of supplies and backpacks.

“On any given day in the U.S., 24 million children wake up to abject poverty, so as an organization we made a core decision to really aim most of our resources at helping children and families here in the U.S.,” said Eichenlaub.

The softball fundraiser stands alongside Mission 500's Security 5K/2K run/walk, held annually at ISC West, as a major industry-wide event to help children in need. The Security 5K/2k was founded by Security Systems News.

For sponsorship opportunities or the chance to play on a team and go to bat for children in need, please contact Kathryn Robinson, project manager at krobinson@mission500.org.

For more information on how to become a sponsor of the Security 5K/Mission 500 Race, contact George Fletcher at pr@mission500.org, or call 305-321-3193.