Mission 500, a nonprofit initiative focusing its efforts on the security industry and dedicated to serving the needs of children and communities in crisis, raised $36,000 at its inaugural launch during Expo Seguridad Mexico 2007 in Mexico City.
During its 10th anniversary gala dinner, Expo Seguridad show organizers presented a World Vision representative with a check for $5,000 from show proceeds to help street children in Mexico. In addition, Samsung GVI donated a 42-inch plasma screen TV as a door prize. Almost everyone made a cash donation, which raised another $1,100.
Alan Forman, president of Altronix, upped the ante and challenged the audience to sponsor 30 children in which case he would match the money and donate $10,000. The audience obliged and at number 22, Rodolfo Montes of Inalarm offered to sponsor eight children to reach the target. Richard Chace, executive director of SIA, donated $5,000 and George Fletcher of DMF Consulting contributed with another $5,000 to reach a total of more than $36,000.
The goal of Mission 500 is to sponsor 500 needy children through World Vision’s child sponsorship program. All funds raised are channeled directly to World Vision. The humanitarian organization provides food, clothing and education to those truly in need. The donations collected at the dinner will provide sponsorships for 100 children.
“As a company, we are active in supporting other charitable causes, but we cannot be indifferent to this suffering. We all have to do something and this is our way of making a difference,” says Forman.
For more information on contributions or sponsorships for Mission 500, visit www.mission500.org.
