Organized Retail Crime Associations (ORCAs) have long provided a platform for retailers and law enforcement agencies to share information and collaborate, opening doors to enhance investigations and build cooperative relationships in the fight against organized retail crime. What many may not realize, however, is how these groups are using their influence to support meaningful causes across the communities they serve.
The foundation of service and support that underpins these associations also extends to community programs in need of a helping hand. Many are now leveraging their networks to make a broader difference.
James Stanek, senior investigator, Corporate Security Incident Response, at Verizon, and the team at the Cook County Regional Organized Crime Task Force (CCROC) offer a compelling example of how these efforts can lead to real impact.
“It’s always been a passion of mine to find ways to help others,” says Stanek, an advisory board member with CCROC who oversees their charity program. “Making the effort and getting involved is not a gift we give; it’s a gift we share.”
ORCAs across the country are widely known for going beyond their core mission, often getting involved in education and advocacy. Like many others, CCROC has established a strong presence in charitable efforts. Since its inception, the organization has supported Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the greater Chicago area.
“As part of our Winter Smiles program in partnership with Chicago police, 80-150 local kids between five and seventeen-years-old provide a wish list of items, which might include everything from books to toys, school supplies, clothing, deodorant, and even iPads,” shares Stanek. “We purchase the items to fill their personalized gift list using CCROC funds and donations from local businesses, individually package each gift, and hand out the gifts to each individual kid the day of the event. Some gifts are simple, but all are meaningful. Whatever the gift, there is a genuine feeling of appreciation. When you see those smiles, it really makes you appreciate what you have.”
Motivated by the impact of these efforts, CCROC sought to do even more. Each year at its annual conference, the organization selects a charity and hosts a silent auction and raffle, donating 100 percent of the proceeds to the chosen cause.
“We saw this as a great opportunity to raise money for other exceptional causes as well, and just ran with it,” he adds. “And the response has been overwhelming. The companies that provide us with items have been incredibly supportive and extremely generous, which really increases the amount of money we’re able to raise. Since our inception we’ve given about $150,000 to the community projects.”
Each year’s beneficiary is carefully selected through a research process and presented to the board for review and approval.
“We want to try to help as many different organizations as we can,” says Stanek. “By taking this approach, it allows us to spread awareness to more and different kinds of charities.”
Recent projects include:
Project Fire Buddies (2023), which features firefighters supporting critically ill children and their families, providing gifts, companionship, needed medical devices to children who are fighting illnesses, and modifying homes to better accommodate their conditions.
The Susan G. Koman Foundation (2024), which supports the mission to save lives by providing awareness, community health initiatives, and breakthrough research that helps to prevent and cure breast cancer. Other than skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women.
K9s for Veterans will be this year’s featured nonprofit, an organization devoted to supporting veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder by pairing them with a professionally trained service dog. These service dogs play a vital role in helping veterans reintegrate into civilian life by offering emotional support, companionship, and increased independence. They also provide free food and basic medical care for the life of the service dog. The lifesaving efforts of K9s for Veterans are doubled by the exclusive use of rescue dogs from kill shelters to train as service dogs for our veterans.
“By doing our part to stand behind such worthwhile organizations, it makes the mission of CCROC only that much more important,” Stanek shares. “All proceeds go directly to the charity to help support their programs. They are so appreciative of these efforts, and we’ve had nothing but positive feedback from everyone involved. It’s such a pleasure simply knowing that we’re helping others and making a real difference in their lives. I just think it’s a wonderful thing that we’re doing—and we have no intention of stopping.”
LP Magazine is recognizing the unsung heroes of the loss prevention and asset protectionindustry. In this ongoing column, we highlight those who are going above and beyond to help their community and world around them to be a better place. Whether it be an individual or a team, donating time, money, or bringing joy to others—we want to say, “thank you” and let our readers get to know you better. To nominate an individual or an entire LP team, fill out the form at losspreventionmedia.com/something-good.