Industry giving back during great time of need

With Mission 500 recently opening nominations for their 2021 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Award and 2021 Humanitarian Award, we here at Security Systems News wanted to highlight how important it is to recognize those companies that do give back, while hopefully inspiring others. We also wanted to use this opportunity to gauge where the industry is when it comes to CSR programs, and just giving back, in general.

After a year since COVID, the need to give back to those in need is greater than ever.

“2020 proved to be an especially challenging year, and perhaps even more stressful for many children and families already in need of assistance prior to the pandemic,” said Ken Gould, chairman, Mission 500, a non-profit charitable organization focusing on the security industry and dedicated to serving children and families in need across the U.S. “The Mission 500 community rose to the challenge, with outstanding individual and corporate fundraising efforts. We ask for your nominations for the 2021 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Humanitarian Awards to recognize outstanding achievement and help inspire others to join in this most noteworthy cause.”

News Poll Results

Inspired by Mission 500 and what the industry has been able to do while rallying behind such a worthy cause, this month’s News Poll looks to gauge where companies stand on this important topic.

Looking big picture, 40 percent of respondents said their company has a formal CSR program in place, with another 40 percent saying their company did not have one, and the remaining 20 percent indicating that they were not sure. While only 40 percent of companies said they have a formal program in place, a unanimous 100 percent felt that their company was doing enough in the area of giving back, which is great news.

As one respondent pointed out, “We have been giving for a long time, both locally and beyond,” punctuating the point that a formal CSR program is not the only indicator of a company’s charitable commitment.

Another promising sign from the survey is the overwhelmingly positive impact individuals are making in the lives of others, either by giving their time or money, or both. In fact, 80 percent of respondents are giving back in some way, either by serving on an association board or committee, or through charitable donations. Only 20 percent of respondents said they do not give back in some way.

As we have seen here at SSN with our affiliation and partnership with Mission 500 on the Security 5k/2k at ISC West every year, the industry has a big heart and gives back in numerous and myriad ways. Don't be afraid to nominate someone or a company that has gone above and beyond.

Entry forms for the Mission 500 2021 CSR and Humanitarian Awards can be downloaded at https://www.mission500.org/awards/ and submitted by March 31, 2021.

Since inception of their 501c3 status in 2016, the industry has helped produce 340,000 meals, assemble care packs filled with essential hygiene items for 3,700 families, and distribute more than 11,500 book bags filled with school supplies to students attending Title One schools.

For more information, please email Kathryn Robinson at krobinson@mission500.org. Visit mission500.org.