The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is beginning to make its rounds through the security industry. It is very touching to watch the videos of security professionals who have accepted the challenge, as they acknowledge their own personal ties to the disease.

With only about half of the general public knowledgeable about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, the Ice Bucket Challenge is making a profound difference. Since July 29, the ALS Association has welcomed more than 70,000 new donors to the cause. Millions of dollars have already been raised since the end of July by people willing to have buckets of ice water doused over their heads and challenging others to do the same to raise money in support of this most worthy cause.

Here are a few of the participants from among the security industry that we’re aware of. If your company has participated, let SDM know by sending the link to your video, to stepanekl@bnpmedia.com.

EMERgency24’s Senior Vice President, Patrick Devereaux, accepted the challenge in memory of his wife’s aunt, who he said was afflicted with ALS and died in 2002. Devereaux braved not one, but three buckets of ice. “Note that Patrick was hit with three buckets, just like our network of central stations — redundant,” said Kevin Lehan, EMERgency24’s public relations manager, and executive director of the Illinois Electronic Security Association.

Devereaux selected Jeff Atkins of Rapid Response, Jim McMullen of COPS, and David Avritt of SentryNet to do the same. “The common thread is that we are all national third-party central stations,” Devereaux said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYBhYfS7ITE&feature=youtu.be

Kudos to Alliance Security, Warwick, R.I., which posted a video on Aug. 22 of its entire company participating in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. Brian Fabiano, co-founder and COO, said he had been affected personally with a family member being diagnosed with ALS just six months ago.

The company called out the entire community it serves to follow suit. In the spirit of spreading ALS awareness, the company said it will donate $10 on behalf of each person who steps up to the plate and accepts the cold-water dare.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lmelqVRrvQ

Tri-Ed’s senior management team accepts the Ice Bucket Challenge. From left: Pat Comunale, James Rothstein, Paul Swan, and Mike Culbertson.

Tri-Ed’s senior management team challenged all 600 of its employees to join in the effort on August 14. If they raised $2,500 by the end of the day, Tri-Ed President and CEO, Pat Comunale, said he would take the challenge the next day. Tri-Ed hit the goal in only two hours, prompting Tri-Ed’s Chief Marketing Officer, James Rothstein, to up the ante. If they hit $3,500 he would also take the challenge. That goal was also quickly hit, so the stakes were raised again. If they raised $5,000, Paul Swan, Tri-Ed’s vice president of sales and marketing/Canada, and Mike Culbertson, vice president of Tri-Ed’s Technical Sales Group, would also endure the bucket. Tri-Ed employees, both in the corporate office and branch staff, hit the goal on August 15 and collectively contributed a $5,000 check to the ALS Association.

In a press release issued by the ALS Association earlier this month, Barbara Newhouse, president and CEO of the association, commented on the incredible public response to this cause, stating, “We have never seen anything like this in the history of the disease. We couldn’t be more thrilled with the level of compassion, generosity and sense of humor that people are exhibiting as they take part in this impactful viral initiative.”

Tri-Ed Distribution said it is pleased to be among them and help support the association’s mission to find a cure for ALS while funding the highest quality of care for people living with the disease.