Mission 500, a strictly non-profit organization partnering with World Vision and dedicated to serving the needs of children and communities in crisis, responded to Haiti’s needs by raising almost $26,000 for relief efforts.

The fundraising effort took place as part of the ING half marathon held in Miami on January 31 where more than 20 people along with friends and family from the South Florida’s security industry participated.

“It was a beautiful day with a 70 degree temperature at the start, and some sprinklings of rain half way through to cool things off,” reported Ian McCluskey of Kroll. Ian was one of Team Mission 500’s top fundraisers and had run before in the ING.

The race started at the American Airlines arena and runners ran toward Miami Beach over the causeway with cruise ships lining the port, up the famed Ocean Drive with its art Deco hotels, and then back across to the mainland over the Venetian causeway with its picturesque sights of the bay. Over 18,000 runners registered to take part, making this one of the fasted growing running events of its type in the United States.

The goal was to raise US $25,000 to help with relief efforts for Haiti. The 23 runners of the Mission 500 team were part of a larger World Vision Team of almost 200 that combined, raised over $100,000 through this effort.

A third of the Mission 500 team ran a half marathon for the very first time. Luz Garcia and Lorena Stapff of Latin Press both said “This was a great experience; call us anytime to do it again!” Diego Lozano of Quaddrix also did his first half-marathon and despite the short-term pain promised to sign up for 2011. Frank Green from Silmar was disappointed with his 1:24 time as others who took 3 hours stood stunned at his speed. Silmar was also instrumental in getting staff and some customers involved and contributed $3,000 toward team Mission 500.

Anyone wishing to support relief for Haiti and the Mission 500 running team can still donate by visiting http://twv.convio.net/goto/mission500team. You can also help with the immediate relief efforts for Haiti by making a cash donation at: www.worldvision.org/mission500haiti

Mission 500’s next industry initiative is a 5K charity run at ISC West in Las Vegas on March 25, 2010. This first of a kind event at an ISC Expo was conceived to engage new corporate sponsors as well as individuals within the industry. Altronix Corporation, Axis, HID, LRG Marketing Communications, Morse Watchmans and Safety Technology International Inc. are charter sponsors. The Security 5K / Mission 500 Race is a joint collaboration between United Publications, publishers of Security Systems News and Security Director News; Reed Exhibitions, proprietors of ISC Expos; and Mission 500. More details at www.mission500.org or you can register to walk or run at www.firstgiving.com/mission500