Systems Integrator Convergint Technologies is being honoured with the 2013 Mission 500 CSR award. Convergint Technologies was built on a solid foundation of values and beliefs. Convergint encourages their colleagues to live these on a daily basis, whether at home, work, or in their communities; and they regularly share their values and beliefs with their clients and business partners. One of these values, “they believe in balanced lives," supports their belief that it is important for all of us to balance our time, energy, and commitments across our families, our business, and our communities.

In support of this value, each year, Convergint colleagues across North America go into their communities and contribute to those in need. Convergint Social Responsibility Day is officially celebrated on or about June 18th of each year. They have a long history and list of community causes they have contributed to including over 120 different organizations since 2002. On Convergint day 2012 alone they donated over $730,000 in their colleagues’ time, material and services.

Colleagues are deeply involved in initiatives, whether company-wide, office specific, or on an individual basis. All offices have a coordinator responsible for selecting a local charity, setting fundraising goals, and hosting events to generate support for their chosen cause. Individual donations are also matched up to $500. This year, a team of 31 U.S. and Canadian Convergint colleagues partnered with Poured-Out, Inc. (www.poured-out.org) spending 5 days in Haiti building a school/church, installing 47 residential water filters and large industrial filters for three orphanages. This now provides 4,110 gallons of clean water per day, supporting the daily water requirements for over 800 Haitians.

This was all made possible through the team's fundraising within Convergint and from friends and family. The donations funded travel and living expenses for the team, buildings materials for the school/church, 47 residential water filters, 3 industrial water filters and employment of 22 Haitian constructions workers and 6 translators. In 2012 they raised $110,000 for this project, effectively transforming this Haitian community. Their matching donations program also generated $77,300 in 2012.

Michael Keegan is the recipient of the 2013 Mission 500 Humanitarian award. The purpose of the Mission 500 Humanitarian Award is to honour individuals in the security industry who make important contributions to those in need.

Michael has been involved in the security industry for more than 27 years; currently, he serves as the Vice President of the Board of Directors for Teton Youth and Family Services (TYFS) in Jackson, Wyoming. For the past three years, he has organised and spearheaded a golf tournament that unites the community and raises more than $35,000 each year for the TYFS programmes. The mission of Teton Youth and Family Services is to improve children’s lives by providing services ranging from prevention to residential care that address behavioural, emotional, and/or mental health issues.