Editor’s Note: To read Commercial Integrator’s past coverage of McCann Systems and its charitable efforts, check out our coverage of last year’s Kids at Heart Charity Challenge event.
During a tour of Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH) last year, Josh Bittner, co-CEO of McCann Systems, spotted a familiar face in the lobby: one of the integrator’s own technicians.
“Are you guys on a job?” Bittner asked at the time. The technician’s child, Bittner learned, was actually receiving care at BCH.
“And we never knew it, right?” Bittner reflects. “You never know what challenges [people] have.”
Bittner can offer his own firsthand testimony, as well. “My daughter had some challenges early on in life,” he recounts, “and I spent a fair amount of time at a children’s hospital.”
Experiences like that help to explain why the third-annual McCann Kids at Heart Charity Challenge, a golf event held Oct. 19 at The Ranch Golf Club in Southwick, Mass., matters so much to McCann Systems. It raised a remarkable $65,250 to support BCH, marking a 45% jump over last year’s $45,000 total.
Boston Children’s Hospital: A Partner and a Client
This year’s proceeds will support the Every Child Fund, which Hillary Muntz, senior development officer, corporate initiatives, Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, describes as “flexible, unrestricted support that makes an immediate impact where it is needed most.”
Hillary Muntz (third from right) was on hand to accept the donation to support the Every Child Fund. Photo courtesy of McCann Systems.
That ranges from research to temporary housing near the hospital for patients’ families. The need for housing support is particularly acute, since parents can’t simply leave a young child at the hospital during weeks of continuous care.
McCann’s gift, Muntz says, “helps ease the burden on parents so they can focus on what matters most — being there for their child and supporting their health journey.”
BCH is not only a key charitable partner for McCann Systems but also a longtime client. In fact, the integrator has worked on BCH campuses since 2015, building hundreds of spaces to support BCH’s vital work. Last year, McCann earned Commercial Integrator and ADI’s Make a Difference Award for its charitable work, including the Kids at Heart Charity Challenge.
Bittner traces the company’s shared commitment to founder Frank McCann, who instilled an ethos of caring for employees. Bittner and fellow co-CEO Tom Treichel faithfully carry it forward today.
“I think it’s easier for us because we are privately held, and we don’t answer to anybody but ourselves,” Bittner states. “We don’t have to make decisions that may hurt an employee or a customer to drive a number.”
That freedom, he adds, lets McCann Systems give back to its community, its clients and its employees on its own terms.
Three Years of Growth for the McCann Kids at Heart Charitable Event
The Kids at Heart Charity Challenge began as the brainchild of Matt Wilson, director of marketing at McCann Systems, who met the BCH team at a hospital fundraiser on Harvard’s campus. Wilson and his colleagues managed to pull off the first tournament in about seven weeks.
“Not the best way to do that in hindsight, but we got there,” Wilson says.
The second iteration, held last July, more than doubled year one’s total. The timing was tough, though.
“Between our InfoComm party and the Kids at Heart event, I think that near about killed Matt,” Bittner jokes.
This year, the team moved the golf outing to October and started planning a year out, meeting every week to deliver the best possible event. Wilson and fellow organizers Chris Ludwig and Isabella Fuscaldo led in planning and execution. Of all that effort, Bittner reflects, “It’s like a side quest, right? I think the fact that Matt and that team put in the same amount of effort into the side quest as they do into their daily jobs is pretty remarkable.”
The Industry Comes Together for a Cause
Golfers and sponsors alike answered the call in record numbers. The tee sheet filled up almost three months in advance. Organizers had to cap the field at 28 foursomes just to keep the round from running past five hours. And sponsor support was equally abundant.
“You know, I’d like to tell you it was hard,” Bittner says of drawing in supporters. “It wasn’t.”
To wit, four competing LED manufacturers were among the event sponsors. On this day, competitive concerns took a back seat to supporting children and their families.
“You put all that competitive stuff aside and just have a good time and know why you’re there,” Bittner says.
Wilson agrees, relating that, when the golfers began to arrive, he noticed everyone hugging in the parking lot.
“You’re there with your buddies, raising money for a good cause,” Wilson relates. “It’s not too snooty. It’s not too forced. It just feels right when the day comes. And that is just a hat tip to the community and pro AV in general.”
Photo courtesy of McCann Systems.
Crestron Electronics served as this year’s signature sponsor, with DGC Contracting, Legrand | AV and Nanolumens at the platinum level. Gold sponsors were Almo Pro AV, Hyperquake, Logitech, Olsen Construction, Peerless-AV, Planar, UC Technology Partners and VOD Visual. Supporting sponsors were ADI, American Interstate Signcrafters, Broadfield Distributing, Shure, Snap Install, Sony, TecNec Distributing, Velasea and Windy City Wire.
The festivities attracted legendary industry figures like Randy Pagnan of rp Visual and Jay Rogina, formerly of Spinitar, both of whom just wanted to be part of it.
What’s Next for McCann Systems’ Charitable Efforts?
Next year’s Kids at Heart Charity Challenge is likely to move earlier, and a new course may even be considered, though Bittner says The Ranch has been a great experience.
During the post-round dinner, someone asked Bittner how long it would take to reach $100,000 in funds raised. He isn’t sure, but he isn’t ruling it out. After all, three years in, the McCann Kids at Heart Charity Challenge has already raised more than $130,000 for BCH — and momentum and goodwill are on the integrator’s side.
BCH, for its part, truly values the partnership.
“It means a great deal to work with AV companies like McCann that go beyond the business relationship to support both the hospital and the mission we share,” Muntz says.
Those who want to support the Every Child Fund can contact Muntz at Boston Children’s Hospital Trust, the hospital’s philanthropic arm, by emailing [email protected].
