Every year, Security Business uses the December issue to honor the vast number of security integration firms – from the huge global integrators down to the regional alarm dealers – who give back to their communities. This year, we received more than 50 submissions which amounted to thousands of dollars in donations, thousands of volunteer hours and an incredible amount of good deeds and work in the communities they serve.
Before getting into the highlights of some of the great things our industry did in 2019, I would like to remind you that Security Gives Back is a year-round collection process for Security Business…please send in your stories and photos of community support, charity and volunteerism as they happen to [email protected] for inclusion in this article next year and for special recognition on our Twitter feed, @SecBusinessMag.
Thank you to all security integrators – whether they submitted for this article or not – for having a positive impact on the neighborhoods and communities that you serve! Thanks for caring, and thanks for making a difference!
ADS Security, Nashville: In 2019, over 60 ADS Security employees across 25 local branches volunteered with the American Red Cross for “Sound the Alarm” – a program focused on stopping home fire deaths across the country through volunteer installation of free smoke detectors for families in need. In addition to installing more than 1,000 smoke detectors, ADS volunteers taught residents about the importance of fire safety and created fire escape plans with each homeowner. In addition to Sound the Alarm, ADS Security has an ongoing partnership with the Red Cross, where we host blood drives and employees attend life safety training sessions taught by Red Cross staff members.
ADT, Boca Raton, Fla.: The ADT Always Cares Annual Week of Service ran from April 27 to May 4, with thousands of ADT employees and their families volunteering more than 22,000 hours at events in nearly 200 communities. On April 28, ADT employee Stacy Johnson volunteered at Kitchens for Good, a San Diego non-profit. “The sense of joy I got from helping feed so many hungry people was very fulfilling,” she says. More volunteer work was donated at the following organizations: The North Texas Food Bank in Dallas; the Ronald McDonald House in Knoxville, Tenn.; distributing food to needy kids through “backpacks of love” in Richmond, Va.; planting trees at a park in Aurora, Colo.; an animal shelter in Fayetteville, Ark.; March of Dimes in Fresno, Calif.; Habitat for Humanity Restore in Tacoma, Wash.; serving lunch to the homeless in Bayamon, P.R.; Boys and Girls Club of Rochester, N.Y.; and meals for homeless veterans in Asheville, N.C.
Alarm Detection Systems, Aurora, Ill.: Earlier this year, when customer Henry Pratt Company experienced its darkest hour, Alarm Detection Systems (ADS) reacted. On Feb. 15, 2019, Aurora Police dispatchers received reports of an active shooter, a Pratt employee who killed five coworkers while also injuring six officers who responded to the incident. After the shooting, ADS executives approached the Aurora Police Department to ask how they could help. Rather than donating money, ADS wanted to provide tangible resources, which included 24 warm tactical jackets to use in their operations. In addition, ADS donated a state-of-the-art tactical robot, which serves as a scouting and surveillance tool. “As a community-based business with more than 50 years of history in Aurora, it was the company’s honor to donate to the police department,” ADS owner Bob Bonifas says.
Allied Universal, Santa Ana, Calif: Last year, Allied Universal donated more than $10,000 to the Gary Sinise Foundation, a non-profit whose mission is to serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need. Over the last five years, Allied Universal has hired more than 33,000 veterans. “We firmly believe that veterans make ideal employees, especially within the physical security sector,” says Steve Jones, CEO of Allied Universal.
Apollo Fire US, Auburn Hills, Mich.: The company recently hosted a Fall Festival with all proceeds donated to the Great Lakes Burn Camp – an organization that supports children who are burn survivors. Additionally, the company partnered with the Grace Center of Hope for a can drive and volunteered fixing up the Little Grace Village, with employees installing smoke detectors, assisting with fall cleanup, painting and demolition work. Apollo also volunteered for Greening of Detroit, whose mission is to enhance the quality of life for Detroiters by planting trees, providing job training and involving youth in the education of the natural environment.
Bonneville Contracting and Technology Group, San Juan, PR: Bonneville Contracting and Technology Group and the Alpha Phi Omega national service fraternity recently restored the outdoor chapel at the Guajataka Scout Reservation in San Sebastián, Puerto Rico. Founded in 1938, Camp Guajataka is a reservation where Scouts and leaders of the Boy Scouts of America program attend for recreational activities, summer camp, seminars, leadership training, and scouting-related meetings. The camp was in the eye of Hurricane Maria in Sept. 2017. The restored chapel was dedicated on May 25, 2019. José (Pepe) Lopez, PE, a project manager for Bonneville, headed up the restoration effort.
Brady Integrated Security, Greensboro, N.C.: Working with Habitat for Humanity after a tornado struck in May 2018, 23 Brady associates volunteered more than 180 hours of labor to build a home for a deserving family. Following the completion of the initial house, company founder Don Brady sponsored a Habitat for Humanity house for another local family, which began construction in Oct. 2019. Additionally, the company has sponsored the Guilford Heart and Stroke Walk to benefit the American Heart Association; and sponsored the “Adopt-A-Stream” program in Greensboro. In February, associates took part in the “Feed the Hunger” project, packing more than 10,000 meals for schoolchildren in Haiti.
Brinks Home Security, Dallas: Brinks hosted its fourth annual 5K benefiting Mission 500 in October. The company raised $43,000 for Farmers Branch Elementary and Habitat of Humanity of Dallas. Prior to race day, Brinks employees assembled 600 refill packs for local elementary students and constructed home walls for Habitat for Humanity. “The annual 5K is an extension of what we do as a company,” says company CFO Fred Graffam. “Every day we are protecting our community. The race reminds our employees of a mission beyond just coming to work and doing our jobs. There’s also a responsibility for all of us to be an active part in our community and to help those in need.”
B Safe Security, Mantua, N.J.: The company proudly sponsored and participated in this year’s Ronald McDonald House 5K Run/Walk for the Kids, which raised $46,158 in total, with B Safe finishing as a top-five donor. Funds collected enable children to access world-class medical treatment while giving their parents support and the ability to stay actively involved in their children’s treatments. B Safe has been associated with Ronald McDonald House for more than 20 years and is excited to find future ways to give back and support kids and their families.
Digital Provisions, Long Island, N.Y.: Digital Provisions co-founder and CEO, Brian Selltiz, and his wife Angela, got Louie, who after a 10-week training course became a certified therapy dog. The dog has been visiting patients at St. Catherine’s of Siena Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Smithtown, N.Y., every Wednesday for the past four years, raising the spirits of patients. “The warm smiles and genuine looks of love and appreciation that Louie brings to people’s faces are difficult to convey,” Brian Selltiz says. “His presence is enlightening. The comfort and healing effects that certified therapy dogs like Louie provide through the human-animal bond is absolutely outstanding.”
DynaFire, Casselberry, Fla.: The DynaFire Family focused on youth-based organizations in Florida in 2019, and supported Orlando’s largest Back to School event for 25,000+ attendees – the Back to School Bash – hosted by Hope Now as well as several Sheriff’s offices. In total, DynaFire supplied 500 children with back-to-school materials. Additionally, all seven DynaFire offices participated in the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. “We had so much participation we ended up with six additional bikes and a dozen extra gifts,” PR manager Jessica Rutland says.
Eagle Sentry, Las Vegas: Company owner Cory Reif was shocked to see a news story in October that showed thieves stealing electric wheelchairs from disabled vets. His company took action, installing a state-of-the-art surveillance system and burglary alarm system at the Vietnam Veterans meeting center at no charge with one year of free monitoring. “It feels good to give back to these heroes,” Reif says. “Hopefully we can prevent this from ever happening again.”
Electronix Systems, Huntington Station, N.Y.: Every year since 1999, Electronix Systems employees have participated in toy drives. In 2012, the company partnered with the New York Fire Alarm Association to provide toys to the pediatric floors at four local hospitals – starting a tradition that has endured every year since. Each holiday season, Electronix Systems also hosts a food drive to collect non-perishable foods to donate to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
Envera Systems, Coconut Creek, Fla.: Envera has adopted families as part of the Neighbors for Neighbors Adopt a Family holiday program for the past two years and will do so again in 2019. Local employees often contribute clothes, household necessities, toys and gift cards for the families. All gifts are wrapped for each family member, and company representatives travel to deliver them in person.
First Response Systems, Beaverton, Ore.: First Response founder Dave Foglio was recently named Mission 500’s Humanitarian of the Year, and this September he spent a week repairing homes with Samaritan’s Purse in Winnie, Texas, after severe flooding in the area. As part of its community work, First Response employees volunteered for Transitional Youth, a non-profit working to reduce youth homelessness in the Portland metro area; and helped pack and deliver more than 90 sack lunches to a local shelter run by Transition Projects, a non-profit focused on helping the homeless. First Response also supported the following organizations with financial donations in 2019: Mission 500, Compassion International, Embrace Oregon, Northwest Children’s Outreach, 5 Rock Ranch, First Image, Living Water International and Puppies Behind Bars.
GC&E Systems Group, Atlanta: Through its GC&E Gives Back program, the company makes corporate donations, hosts events, and collects contributions throughout the year for a wide range of organizations – from national non-profits to local food banks. GC&E was a major sponsor of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Man and Woman of the Year Campaign, and supported Man of the Year Candidate SVP Ed Ferrell, who raised more than $101,000 for the Society. Annually, GC&E supports the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program and routinely holds food drives to benefit families and shelters in the Atlanta area. Other supported organizations include the American Red Cross, Wounded Warriors Project and several veteran organizations through the local Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) chapter events and other charitable events.
Guardian Protection, Warrendale, Pa.: During select Minor League Baseball games, for every base runner caught stealing, the company donated funds to the Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation or a local charity. By season’s end, donations totaled $25,000. Other organizations that benefited from the donations include: Battered Women’s Shelter, Akron, Ohio; Christy’s Hope, San Antonio; Coburn Place Safe Haven, Indianapolis; Family Crisis Center, Prince Georges County, Md.; Heartly House, Frederick, Md.; Hope Family Services, Bradenton, Fla.; Life Crisis Center, Salisbury, Md.; Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence, Nashville; The Center for Family Safety and Healing, Columbus, Ohio; and WomenSafe, Chardon, Ohio.
Guardian Security and Technology Services, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada: Company owner Nick Nicolacopoulos is Chairman of Lethbridge Rotary Ribfest, an event that took place over three days in Lethbridge and invited the community to Henderson Lake park to enjoy world-class ribs and foods while raising money for Rotary Charities locally and internationally. The event had nearly 20,000 in attendance over the three days and raised more than $20,000 for local causes in southern Alberta, Canada.
Haines Security Solutions, Ventura, Calif: After a credible threat at a local high school, the school district superintendent reached out and asked the company for help. “Since the district didn’t have the luxury of time to establish a baseline and request funding from local government, state or federal programs for threat assessments and risk analysis, we volunteered and began conducting site security surveys,” company owner Doug Haines explains. The company recently completed site visits and are currently formulating protection options for the district to select. The company also participated in a town hall to let the community know that action was being taken by the district to protect their kids.
Hawk Security, Ft. Worth, Texas (a division of My Alarm Center): As part of Hawk Security’s Military & First Responder Appreciation Program, customers who are active duty military, veterans or first responders receive a $150 discount following their first month of alarm service. “We are very fortunate to have the military and first responders who make sacrifices to keep us protected at home and abroad – this is our small way of thanking them for that service,” says James Mercer, the company’s Regional VP. In 2019, the company teamed up with the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation (CKFF) to expand the appreciation program by donating $100 to the organization for every new customer who is referred by CKFF.
Holmes Security Systems, Fayetteville, N.C.: In March of 2019, the company partnered with Girl Scout Troop 4242 from Surf City, N.C., for “Operation Cookie Buy” – where Holmes Security would buy all of the troop’s unsold cookies, which were all donated to the military via Operation Cookie Drop. Over the past 13 years, more than a million boxes of Girl Scout cookies have been donated to military men and women through Operation Cookie Drop. “Holmes Security’s involvement was a small part of a big project, but it will have a lasting impact on our employees, our troops, and the young ladies of Girl Scout Troop 4242,” says Dave Foster, Holmes Security’s Sales and Marketing Manager.
Imperial Surveillance, Chicago: On Aug. 24, A.E. Guardians Inc. – a non-profit organization founded by Imperial Surveillance President Dan Burress in honor and memory of beloved colleague Ahmed Elsayed, Regional Sales Manager for Axis Communications and a champion for diversity and inclusion who passed away unexpectedly in 2018 – hosted its first annual Golf Outing Charity. Eighteen companies – including ADI, Axis, Imperial Surveillance, Wesco (CSC), Digital Watchdog, Genetec, Arcules and Critical Technologies – were sponsors of the golf event. Proceeds are being used to provide training in first aid and CPR to the community. “If we can expand awareness through first aid/CPR education, we increase our chances of fulfilling our mission of saving lives,” Burress says.
Integrated Protection Services (IPS), Cincinnati: For 2018-2019, IPS give back initiatives included a company-matched donation to the Dayton, Ohio chapter of the Red Cross after a devastating tornado rolled through the area, where many IPS customers and employees are based. Additionally, employees participated in a toy drive for Society of St. Vincent DePaul.
J&K Security Solutions, Madison, Wis.: The company hosted a golf outing that benefited Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, a local non-profit supporting women and families who experience abuse. “This was our seventh year supporting the organization, and we raised $112,000, with a seven-year total surpassing $600,000 in donations,” J&K owner Jeff Beckman says.
Kimberlite (Sonitrol), Fresno, Calif.: “Our company was very active this year,” President/CEO Joey Rao-Russell says. “I have an amazing team who volunteer their own time, money and family time to these great causes on top of what we sponsor as the company.” Kimberlite employees participated in the Torch Run for Special Olympics. Additionally, the company donated life-saving first aid kits for all 14 of the Bakersfield Police K-9s. Among the company’s additional activities: a Back Pack Drive in partnership with Clovis Police Department and Clovis Schools, where more than 2,000 backpacks were handed out; a Toy Drive for Hayward PD, where more than 100 gifts were donated to local children; and sponsorship of the Bakersfield City School District Luau, which raised more than $40k to mostly be used to promote science and STEM education.
KMT Systems, McDonough, Ga.: For the second consecutive year, KMT partnered with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where employees got to spend some time with kids for fun activities. “Our owner Tommy Smith has a passion for giving back,” KMT General Manager Bobby Wilbanks says. “The interesting part of this event is the interaction and the reactions from the kids who participate. It really doesn’t matter how bad the kids are feeling – they light up when they see us dressed up crazy and when they participate in the activities.”
LOUD Security, Kennesaw, Ga.: The kicks off its “holiday season with a reason” with an annual Turkey Fry. Each year during the week of Thanksgiving, with the help of Carrabbas Italian Restaurant, employees deep fry and smoke turkeys in a makeshift outdoor kitchen outside the company’s offices. Once they are cooked, owner John Loud and his team deliver the turkeys to various police and fire departments. “We hope in this way, those who protect our families could celebrate the holiday while they are away from their own family,” Marketing Manager John Bennett says.
LVC Companies, Minneapolis: This year, LVC supported many organizations – including Breanna’s Gift of Minneapolis, Tee It Up For the Troops in Rochester, Minn., Salvation Army in Hibbing, and Faith’s Lodge in Eau Clair – through volunteering and cash donations. Additionally, the company will continue its Holiday Gift Drive to benefit families being served in Ronald McDonald Homes in the community. “We are optimistic about this being another record year,” Marketing Manager Robbie Danko says.
My Alarm Center, Newtown Square, Pa.: Company employees nominate charitable donation recipients each quarter, which in 2019 included Mothers Against Drunk Driving and Roger’s Rescues, both made in memory of former employees. To support an employee whose one-year-old granddaughter was battling cancer, a donation was made to the Tiny but Mighty Campaign and, in an effort to help them rebuild, The company also donated to an employee whose family lost their home in the Houston floods. My Alarm Center also partnered with the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation in 2019, including sponsorship of the 1st Annual Texas Wagyu Roundup & Cook Off with a team of employees entering the cooking contest. Additionally, the company will again participate in Covenant House’s annual Sleep Out in November, marking the fifth consecutive year of support, with total funds raised exceeding $50,000.
Northland Controls, Milpitas, Calif.: The company’s IT department repurposed and refurbished 21 laptops for the Partners for Change Tri-Valley chapter, so participating students, future business owners and families have access to the internet and a suite of applications to accomplish their next goals as change leaders. The evening began with a community dinner and then employees Andy Hatch, Shad MacPheters and Chris Quitoriano distributed the laptops and demonstrated the software while answering questions.
NorthStar Home, Orem, Utah: The company’s end-of-year service project gathered food items for St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix. After just one hour knocking on doors, employees collected more than 2,000 food items! The next two hours were spent on an assembly line packing emergency meal kits for families in need. “It was amazing to see the sales representatives and technicians use their door-knocking skills for an activity like this and provide ‘Less Worry, More Life’ to people in need,” says Marketing Manager McKenna Miller.
Per Mar Security Services, Davenport, Iowa: The company sponsored and presented Child Safety Night at the Minor League Baseball Quad Cities River Bandits game on July 19. During the game, Per Mar hosted a KlaasKids Print-a-thon to promote and educate families about child safety. Parents received digitalized fingerprints, an updated photograph of each child, pro-active child safety tips, a plan on what to do if a child disappears, and a DNA Collection Kit developed by the California DNA Laboratory. Per Mar Employees and Marc and Violet Klaas of the KlaasKids Foundation photographed and fingerprinted more than 100 children.
Prime Communications Inc., Elkhorn, Neb.: This year, the company supported Foodbank for the Heartland, a non-profit whose mission is to provide emergency and supplemental food to people in need in Nebraska and western Iowa. It is the largest food bank in Nebraska and Iowa, serving 93 counties in the two-state region. Prime participated in their initiative by hosting a Truck or Treat Food Drive on Halloween, where employees were challenged to fill the back of a truck with non-perishable food and household items. The team donated 445 items with the company matching the efforts of the employees.
Reliable Fire & Security, Alsip, Ill.: The company partnered with the Illinois Fire Safety Association (IFSA) to provide a multi-layered program to increase awareness to the “Camp I Am Me” children’s burn camp. Reliable invited the IFSA to speak at its “Customer Seminar: Navigating the Future” event and raised more than $300 for the children who attend the burn victims retreat. Additionally, Reliable employees donated household products and clothing to the camp and participated in the “Run for Your Life Safety” 5K race. During the holidays, Reliable organizes a food drive campaign for a local charity, Operation Blessings. Included in the holiday giving festivities is a contribution of new toys and clothing to Toys for Tots that will be dispersed to local children hospitals.
RFI Communications, San Jose, Calif.: For RFI’s 40th Anniversary, company employees came up with the idea of using the event not only as a celebration but also an opportunity to give back to the local community. Each office held a celebration in October and were encouraged to bring a pack of socks, which would be donated to a local charity that provides services to the homeless. Socks are the charity’s most needed items, especially during the winter months. In all, RFI employees and their guests donated 967 pairs of socks.
Schmidt Security Pro, Mansfield, Ohio: As part of its “12 Months of Giving” program, every month team members at Schmidt Security Pro make a donation to a person, family or community organization in need, which is matched by the company. Since the program’s inception in early 2019, the company has donated several thousands of dollars to help others, including a cancer patient whose insurance limit had been met and would no longer cover treatment; a family who had a house fire and didn’t have insurance coverage; and a community organization that provides basic necessities to low-income households. “Our team is proud to be able to help when it is needed the most,” company President Brian Schmidt says.
Securitas Electronic Security (SES), Akron, Ohio: As part of its annual charitable integration at its GSX booth – where the Securitas Electronic Security team pledges to donate $2 per unique booth visitor scan – SES raised money to support the Children of Fallen Patriots, a non-profit that provides college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. This annual tradition is spearheaded by the SES executive team and President & CEO Tony Byerly. In years past, SES’s philanthropic efforts benefited the Dallas Fallen Officers Foundation, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and the Friends of Flight 93 National Memorial.
Security 101 Corporate, West Palm Beach, Fla.: Security 101 announced that 22 office locations are participating in its 8th annual “Gift of Security” corporate giving program. Each participating Security 101 office will award a custom installation of a video surveillance system using products from partner Axis Communications and distributor Wesco (CSC) valued at $10,000. The locally-owned Security 101 offices participating in the program include: Charlotte, Chicago (North Shore), Cleveland, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, Hampton Roads (Norfolk), Houston, Las Vegas, San Diego, Orlando, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Richmond, Rochester, Sacramento, Seattle, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco and St. Louis.
Security Equipment Inc. (SEi), Omaha, Neb.: The company kicked off its 50th Anniversary year of giving (#SEiGivesBack) at the Ronald McDonald House, where employees prepared and served dinner for residents. As the year went on, activities included: Employees raised $3,500 for the American Red Cross for spring flood relief in the Midwest; volunteer work for Habitat for Humanity; and volunteering at the Child Saving Institute.
Skynet Security, Chicago: Skynet has been a silver sponsor for the Patrick J. Ryan Main Event in support of its LOSS Program for children and youth (survivors of suicide) for the last few years. The company has also established a link between its hotel clients (The Drake and Palmer House Chicago) and Mary’s Closet, under which the hotels provide clothes from lost and found and the company delivers them to Catholic Charities for those in need.
Sonitrol Corporate, Fishers Ind.: In 2019, Sonitrol Corporate focused its ‘Gives Back’ efforts around Law Enforcement – donating three K-9 officers to police departments in need, including the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, Memphis Police Department and Chattanooga Police Department. To see all donated K-9s from the Sonitrol Network, visit http://Sonitrol.com/Sonitrol-gives-back.
Sonitrol of Evansville (Ind.): The company celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Community Appreciation Lunch Open House, inviting customers to attend its annual first responders’ luncheon. During the event, the company presented local law enforcement officers with a donation to sponsor a child for the “Cops Connecting with Kids Disney Adventure.” The company also volunteered and participated in the EPD Foundation SWAT Challenge, the 2019 Policeman’s Ball, the Susan G. Komen’s More Than Pink Walk; and it sponsored the 2019 Southwestern Indiana HADI Highland Games and collected and donated food for the Evansville Food Bank.
Synergy Florida, Tampa, Fla.: Synergy Florida owners Guy and Donna Calleja joined seven employees to host an event at the Hillsborough Girls Academy, which houses medium-to-high-risk female youth who are enrolled in programs to support development of coping skills, depression management, life and social skills. Synergy’s Glamour Night event included a catered dinner, a Christian devotional focused on inner beauty, and a tutorial on basic skincare. Volunteers enjoyed providing makeup and nail painting for the girls and learning about each girl’s unique life experience.
Tri-D-Fx, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada: The company is a platinum sponsor of the RCMP Fallen Members Tournament – a chance for the police and the community to get together to pay tribute to these fallen heroes. Since 2003, the Memorial Tournament has provided financial support to many great causes, including: the Slain Peace Officer’s Fund, Victim Services, DARE, Citizens on Patrol, Crime Watch, Food Bank, Christmas Bureau, Boys and Girls Club, Saffron, A Safe Place, Scouts and many more.
Universal Atlantic Systems Inc. (UAS), Philadelphia: UAS employees make a voluntary, company-matched weekly donation to the Ronald McDonald House, which sponsors a room at no cost to a needy family for an entire year. UAS employees also volunteered to cook a yearly breakfast for the Ronald McDonald House residents. Employees also volunteer monthly to deliver food for Meals on Wheels of Chester County, and the company held its 1st Annual 5k Walk/Run, which generated $4,000 for a local fire company. This coming holiday season, UAS will donate gifts to needy children via a yearly Angel Tree; and it will adopt a needy family for the holidays through Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children.
Vector Security, Pittsburgh: Vector Security employees volunteered with the local Friends of the Riverfront organization to clean up the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, a 24-mile urban rail-trail along the riverfronts of Allegheny County. Since 1991, the non-profit Friends of the Riverfront has worked to protect and restore the region’s priceless riverfronts.
Vision Integrators, Salt Lake City: Organizations supported by Vision Integrators in 2019 include: Day of Hope, Make-a-Wish Foundation, VFW, YWCA, Wounded Warrior Program and Suicide Awareness. The company is also a sponsor of Rockin’ Hot Rod Productions car shows in Salt Lake City.
Vistacom, Allentown, Pa.: Destiny Heimbecker worked for Vistacom for 16 years but sadly passed away after a two-year battle with cancer in May 2018. To honor her memory and help raise money for a cause that’s near and dear to the company, Vistacom held the Destiny Heimbecker Memorial Charity Golf Tournament in September, which raised $19,000 for the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA).
Vivint Smart Home, Salt Lake City: In early 2019, more than 1,000 Vivint employee volunteers converged on the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City to help Feed My Starving Children package 272,000 meals for impoverished children with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in third world countries. This included the 2 millionth meal packaged in the history of the Vivint and Feed My Starving Children relationship.
Editor’s Note: While Security Gives Back appears every December in Security Business, collecting your stories and photos of community support, charity and volunteerism is open all year long! Email me your charitable news as it happens to [email protected] for inclusion in this article next year and for special recognition on our Twitter feed, @SecBusinessMag.
