Kudos to the more than 30 companies, and counting, that have already joined forces to sponsor the first annual Security Industry Softball Game, benefitting Mission 500, the non-profit organization that spearheads corporate responsibility in security and champions the needs of underprivileged children and communities in crisis. On game day — Saturday, September 12 — security sponsors across competitive lines, and in all facets of the industry at large, will suit up and take aim to hit ’em out of the park — Leonia, N.J., that is — with 100 percent of the funds raised going directly to benefit the respected World Vision charity.

The venue, chosen due to its tri-state location, is convenient to many East Coast security companies and offices. To date, Mission 500 has sponsored more than 1,000 kids, with ongoing volunteer-driven campaigns and well-run industry events, such as the 5K/2K ISC West Race in Las Vegas. The all new ballgame idea, a brain-child of executive board member and Samsung Marketing Manager Janet Fenner, was pitched back in March to George Fletcher, Advisory Board member, founder, and to many, the face of Mission 500, as a means to keep momentum going and to increase awareness for this worthy kids’ cause that goes beyond third-world countries and hits here at home, too.

Designed to specifically help U.S. children in need, estimated to unbelievably be between 12 million and 15 million, or 1 in 4 American kids, the goal for the first annual Mission 500 Security Industry Softball Game is to raise $100,000. If the event hits that goal, which was more than half achieved in merely a matter of weeks, Fletcher has vowed to dye his silver hair orange, underscoring the social-media-based World Vision #Show Orange campaign; also, no doubt an homage to his home state of Florida's citrusy symbol. This selfless act alone is worth making a hefty contribution, some say.

The charitable event includes sponsors ranked in precious metal levels — platinum, gold, silver and bronze — of those directly in the industry and those supporting it, such as: ISC and SIA, Axis Communications, Napco StarLink, Pelco, Hikvision, Samsung, Altronix, Monitronics, Wynit, Security Systems News, OnSSI, Veracity, SDM, FST, Milestone, LRG, CBP, March Networks, AMID Strategies, Visual Communications, ADI, Tri-Ed, Total Recall, Security Management, Security Products, Speco Technologies, Security Sales & Integration, Dot Generation, Viakoo, SD&I, and Kratos.

Heavy-hitter sponsors at certain levels will have a member at play on the field, sporting either the Mission 500 Red or Blue Team’s well-logoed apparel and gear to match. Whimsically named and creative sponsorships include Angels in the Outfield, Bat Boys and Girls, the traditional 7th Inning Stretch, sponsors by innings and by bases, and for event brochures. Bring your friends and family, too, and join us for this fun-filled event, by sponsoring, supporting and/or participating. Because there are sponsored awards paying out for each home run scored in the game, remember to root, root, root for your team. That way we’ll all score against childhood hunger and need in America, too.

Event: First Annual Mission500 Security Industry Softball Game

Date:  September 12, 2015

Time:  Noon

Venue: Overpeck County Park, 40 Fort Lee Road, Leonia, N.J. 07605

 For more on Mission500 contact pr@mission500.org or visit www.mission500.org. For more on Softball Sponsorship details, reach out to Janet Fenner, janet.fenner@samsung.com.