Woodbury, NY—The PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA) announced that its member organizations have collectively raised over $32.7 million in support of the victims of the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Many member organizations are also providing additional support for relief efforts, from company expertise to LED lanterns and high-tech rescue equipment.
With PMDA member organizations spanning the photo-imaging space, many with significant presences in Japan, they are combining corporate donations with employee efforts to provide relief assistance. Thus far, they have contributed through extraordinary financial efforts to benefit the Japan relief-assistant efforts. In addition to members’ corporate contributions, many of the employee communities have provided financial support. To augment the various employee efforts, member organizations have established matching programs for these employee contributions.
“Our member organizations each have friends, families and colleagues in Japan, so this devastation has greatly impacted all of our lives,” said Joellyn Gray, president of the PMDA and director of Marketing, Fujifilm North America Corporation. “While many of our member companies have already made in-kind donations and financial commitments exceeding $32 million in the ongoing relief efforts, the employee communities continue to amaze us. For example, employees at Fujifilm have already donated over $100,000 in personal funds. This outpouring of everyone’s support during such a critical time of need is simply remarkable.”
PMDA member companies have also dedicated equipment and manpower to the rescue and relief efforts. In-kind support ranges from radios, flashlights and batteries to diagnostic ultrasound systems and industrial videoscopes used to locate survivors inside collapsed buildings.
Additionally, some member organizations have sent rescue personnel to the region along with rescue equipment, or provided expertise and capabilities to work in assisting local authorities and relief organizations.
Member organizations contributing to the relief efforts include Canon Inc., Fujifilm Corporation, General Imaging Company, Nikon Inc., Olympus Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Sony Corporation and Tamron Co. Ltd.
The PMDA will also raise funds to benefit the earthquake relief efforts at the organization’s annual golf outing in June. For information on how to participate in the event, contact Michelle Tramantano at Michellepmda@hotmail.com.
