"This softball game is a new and fun way for the security industry to come together and raise money for needy children in the U.S.,” said George Fletcher, Advisory Council Member/Volunteer for Mission 500. “We’ve already raised more than $72,000 from corporations and individuals in this very generous industry toward our goal of $100,000, and we hope this new event will put us over the top.”

Sponsorships are available at the bronze, silver, gold and platinum levels. Platinum level sponsors each have the opportunity to put two players on the field while silver and gold sponsors are each allowed one. Player numbers will be capped at 30, with 15 players on each team. Companies can support and sponsor the event in many ways (fundraising for uniform logos, BBQ, RBIs, inning sponsors, etc.), and the amount of money raised by each of the sponsors will determine the order for team selection. The sponsor who raises the highest amount by September 1 will have the first pick from the line-up.

Proceeds generated by the event will be contributed to Mission 500’s #ShowOrange campaign, which was created to generate awareness and funding to help alleviate child poverty in America. Mr. Fletcher adds that if the event hits its fundraising goal, he will dye his hair orange in support of the social media-based #ShowOrange campaign.

Mission 500 will also be sponsoring a School Kit Build during the event. The goal is to assemble 200 kits that will be donated to Title 1 Schools in the South Bronx.

“This is a family fun event and all are welcome,” he adds. “There will be activities for children and food and drink are free. We even have free baseball caps for the first 150 people.”

In addition to participating in and raising money for this and other Mission 500 events, security industry professionals can support Mission 500 in a variety of ways, including volunteering to help with the Security 5K/2K or making financial donations. All donations are tax-deductible and can be made with major credit cards and American Express loyalty points.

Now in its 8th year, Mission 500 has worked to focus security industry efforts to aid children through World Vision. World Vision, Mission 500’s parent entity, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping children, families and their communities worldwide by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision and Mission 500 work in partnership in the U.S and around the world.

The Mission 500 Security Softball Game is a collaboration among sponsors and World Vision and Mission 500. To date, event sponsors of the 2015 Mission 500 Softball Game include ADI, Altronix, Amid Strategies, Aronson Security Group, Axis, Campus Safety, SSI, Commercial Building Products, DOT Generation, DMP, FST Biometrics, Hikvision, Kratos, LRG Marketing, March Networks, Milestone, Monitronics, ONSSI, Pelco, Reed Exhibitions, Samsung, SDM, SD&I, Security Management/ASIS International, Security Products, Security Sales & Integration, Security Systems News, Security Director News, SIA, Speco Technologies, SSI, Starlink, Synnex Corporation, Tri-Ed, Total Recall, VCI, Veracity, Visual Communications, Viakoo, World Vision and Wynit.