With organization members spanning the photo imaging space, many with significant presences in Japan, PMDA organizations are combining corporate donations with employee efforts to provide relief assistance follow the devastation in Japan.

Woodbury, NY (March 31, 2011) – The PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA) today announced that its member organizations have collectively raised over $32.7 million (¥2.65 billion Yen) in support of the victims of the recent devastating earthquake and resulting tsunami in Japan. Many member organizations have also established employee matching programs and are providing additional support for relief efforts from LED lanterns to company expertise to high-tech rescue equipment and more.

Thus far, PMDA member organizations 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 significant financial support. To augment the various employee efforts, member organizations have also 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 $90,000 in personal funds. This outpouring of everyone’s support during such a critical time of need is simply remarkable.”

In addition to immense financial support, PMDA member companies have dedicated significant equipment and manpower to the rescue and relief efforts. In-kind support abounds from clocks, radios, flashlights and batteries to diagnostic ultrasound systems, and industrial videoscopes used to assist in location of survivors inside collapsed buildings. Additionally, some member organizations have sent valuable rescue personnel to the region along with scarce rescue equipment, or provided expertise and capabilities to work in assisting local authorities and relief organizations.

Member organizations contributing to the Japan 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.

For more information about the relief organizations that PMDA member companies are assisting, or to learn more on how to help the victims of the Japan earthquake and tsunami please contact the AmeriCares, Convoy of Hope, Doctors Without Borders, GlobalGiving, International Medical Corps, Japan Society, Red Cross, Salvation Army and ShelterBox.

The PMDA will also raise additional funds to benefit the earthquake relief efforts at the organization’s annual golf outing held in June. For more information on how to participate in the event, please contact Michelle Tramantano at [email protected].

About PMDA
Founded in 1939, PMDA provides a series of forums throughout the business year for its membership to exchange ideas and learn about new technologies and business trends, in addition to administering programs that promote photography to the general public. Monthly programs and symposiums feature leading photo and imaging product suppliers and retailers, as well as financial analysts and technical experts. The PMDA teams with the Soldiers' Angels volunteer organization to create the Portraits of Love Project, with a goal to provide 10,000 U.S. soldiers around the world with free portraits of their families and loved ones during each holiday season. The organization has also teamed with PMA International to produce www.TakeGreatPictures.com, a site created to help American consumers find meaningful ways to incorporate photography into many aspects of their everyday lives, while helping them to make intelligent decisions about buying new cameras and accessories.

###