During a pre-game ceremony, Mark Haga, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Canon U.S.A., will present John Walsh, co-founder of NCMEC and host of the television series "America’s Most Wanted," with a $575,000 check, representing the cumulative amount of money donated by Canon U.S.A..
"Canon’s continued commitment to protecting children is reflected in our corporate philosophy, Kyosei – all people, regardless of race, religion, or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future," said Joe Adachi, president and chief executive officer, Canon U.S.A. "We are very proud that Canon has worked with NCMEC and the New York Yankees to bring into focus the many ways digital cameras, printers and photos can play a key role in helping to locate missing children. To date, Canon’s support of NCMEC has contributed to the recovery of 336 missing children."
For more than a decade, Canon U.S.A. and NCMEC, who are celebrating 25 years of recovering children, have collaborated to educate the public about the growing issue of missing children. The Canon4Kids program sponsored by Canon U.S.A. and NCMEC, donates products to help law enforcement quickly disseminate photos and information about missing children, produces Public Service Announcements with missing children photos, and educates parents about tips for taking and maintaining updated photos of their children.
"A good current photograph is the single most important tool in the search for a missing child," said Ernie Allen, president and CEO of NCMEC. "This is why we are so grateful that Canon, a leader in digital imaging, is working so closely with us. Through photography, technology and education, Canon and NCMEC are saving lives, keeping children safe and reuniting families."
As part of the Canon4Kids program, more than 1,925 pieces of donated Canon equipment (digital cameras, fax-phones, printers and scanners) have been distributed to law enforcement agencies in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The program also includes the placement of public service announcements with photographs of missing children in newspapers and magazines across the country to help in the recovery process.