Last month we marked the 15th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania — a day that would forever change our great country. During the annual National Day of Service and Remembrance, we honor all of those who lost their lives that day including our first responders, military personnel, volunteers and emergency workers. It is through the strength and courage of these individuals that we continue to enjoy the freedoms and rewards that this great country provides. As part of the security industry we, too, are all privileged to work each and every day, committed to making our world a better, safer place in which to live.

Having raised more than $10,000 for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) as the 2016 ESA Gives Back recipient, the Electronic Security Association encourages the electronic security and life safety industry to come together to be a source of good will, especially in support of those in peace-keeping, fire and law enforcement. Its Give Back Program, spanning members and chapters nationwide, has raised more than $75,000 since its founding in 2012, benefiting numerous charities: Wounded Warrior, Warrior Dog, Green Beret, and Mission 500.

Mission 500 — for those who may not be familiar — is a group of security industry folks of all walks who are dedicated to helping impoverished children in the United States have safe places to live. While many know Mission 500 best by the Security 5K Run/2K Walk in Las Vegas during ISC West, the organization’s second annual Security Softball Game, held on Long Island, N.Y., recently hit one out of the park, raising more than $55,000 for children in need.

This is what the event accomplished:

• 300 school bags filled with school supplies will be donated to children attending Title One Schools in the South Bronx, the poorest congressional district in the U.S.;

• 4,500 meals and a $5,000 cash grant will be donated to Long Island Cares, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a Hunger-Free Long Island. The $5,000 cash donation will be leveraged to access World Vision’s multiplier grant that will turn the $5,000 donation into $60,000 of much needed basic household supplies for families across the country living below the poverty line; the remainder of the money raised will go towards Mission 500’s regional programming for children in the U.S.

This month, you’re also invited to be a part of the solution, as Mission500 aims to help kids in our own backyard have a warm home this holiday season. Join the group from October 26 through 30 for the 2016 Security Industry Service Trip to West Virginia, where alarmingly more than 41 percent of the Appalachian County residents fall below the poverty line. For more information contact Jeff at jeichenlaub@mission500.0rg 

Held each summer, during this year’s ADT Week of Service, its volunteers served 24,792 hours at 250 events and donated 10,000 children’s books to local literacy organizations, all reaching out to thousands of our neighbors in need. Surrounding the company’s south Florida headquarters community, just a few of the many charities that benefitted were Volunteer FL, Habitat for Humanity and Arc (both of Palm Beach) Boca Helping Hands, and Grandma’s Place, which provides shelter and loving care to children who have suffered abuse or neglect in their own homes.

It’s not whether your company or group is big or small; it simply comes down to the measure of your heart. Reach out and do your part. Lend a helping hand wherever and whenever you can. Make this world a better place than you found it. Tell us your story by emailing the Editor at stepanekl@bnpmedia.com.