|
Corporate Social Responsibility
News
3.08.2004 ET
|
CSR News from:
|
|
|
News Category:
|
|
Canon U.S.A. Adds LPGA's Michelle McGann To Canon4Kids
Digital Photos of Missing Children Appear On Her Bag Through 2004 Tour
Participation Is “Hole-In-One” For National Center For Missing & Exploited Children
(CSRwire) Lake Success, New York – Golfer Michelle McGann, a seven-time
winner on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, is
participating in Canon4Kids, the program created by Canon U.S.A. that
seeks to help locate missing children across America. Beginning with the
first LPGA Tour event (March 11-14) and continuing for each tournament in
which she plays, Ms. McGann will place a digital photograph of a local
missing child on her golf bag. Canon U.S.A., Inc. is a leader in digital
imaging and a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ).
Canon4Kids generates awareness and raises money for the National Center
for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), a nonprofit organization
dedicated to providing services nationwide for families and professionals
in the prevention of abducted, endangered and sexually exploited
children.
Based on a 2002 U.S. Department of Justice report that cites the most
recent statistics from 1999, nearly 800,000 children are reported missing
annually – more than 2,000 each day. One of six children featured in
NCMEC’s photo-distribution network is found directly by people who
see the photographs and then contact authorities.
Ms. McGann, who qualified for the LPGA Tour on her first attempt in 1988
when she was 18 years old, also will include on her bag the toll free
phone number – 1-800-THE-LOST – for people to use if they have
any information about the children in the photographs. The children in the
Canon4Kids program are selected by NCMEC. Information about the children
who will appear on Ms. McGann’s golf bag during 2004 can be found at
the end of this announcement.
"I am so glad to join Canon in raising awareness about our missing
children and to provide an opportunity for so many people who follow the
LPGA Tour to see some of these faces and learn the phone number to call if
they have any information," said Ms. McGann. "I hope my efforts also will
encourage fans of the Tour to become more involved in the protection of
our young people."
An additional component of Canon4Kids is tied to Ms. McGann’s
performance on the LPGA Tour. For each birdie registered by Ms. McGann,
Canon will donate $100 to NCMEC. Each eagle is worth $250 and $1,000 is
donated for every hole-in-one.
Ms. McGann, ranked the nation’s top amateur by GOLF Magazine and
Golf Digest in 1987, is tied with the best playoff record (4-0) in LPGA
history.
Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial
imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired
Companies in America, and is ranked #39 on the Business Week list of "Top
100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top
patent-holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2003,
with global revenues of $29.9 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.
Alexandria, Virginia-based NCMEC is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization
that works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice’s
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. NCMEC has access to
both the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and National Law
Enforcement Telecommunications Systems (NLETS). Created in 1984, NCMEC has
aided law enforcement officials in the search for more than 95,000 missing
children. More than 80,000 children have been recovered as a result. For
more information about NCMEC, call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678), or
visit www.missingkids.com.
Featuring the world’s best women golfers, the LPGA’s
membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA
Tour in 2004 features 34 events, with more than 260 hours of television
coverage and total prize money of nearly $41 million. Since 1981, the
LPGA and its tournaments have raised more than $139.5 million for
charity.
>From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the
world’s preeminent women’s professional sports organization.
The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit
organization involved in every facet of golf. The LPGA Teaching and Club
Professional (T&CP) membership boasts a total of nearly 1,200 women golf
professionals who serve as teachers, golf professionals, club managers and
coaches. Through the LPGA T&CP membership, the LPGA is working to increase
the involvement of women and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the
growth of the sport overall. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach,
Florida. For more information, visit www.LPGA.com.
CANON4KIDS FACTS
Canon U.S.A. and The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children have
collaborated since 1997 to raise public awareness about the growing issue
of child abduction. Canon stresses the need for parents to update photos
and have them available to assist authorities in a search for a missing
child. Canon has provided photographic and printing products to law
enforcement agencies nationwide to aid in the recovery of missing
children. For more information: www.missingkids.com
Canon4Kids features pictures of missing children along with the NCMEC
hotline (1-800-THE-LOST) in various venues. As part of the effort, PGA
TOUR golfer Briny Baird and LPGA Tour golfer Michelle McGann place digital
photos of local missing children on their golf bags during each tournament
in which they play. The photos are seen by millions of people who watch
in person or on television.
Through Canon4Kids, Canon U.S.A. also has:
Hosted the annual Canon Celebrity Golf Challenge in Las Vegas.
Created public service advertisements with photographs of missing
children for national newspapers and magazines.
Donated digital cameras, scanners and printers to assist law
enforcement nationwide in quickly disseminating photos and information
about missing children
Sponsored NCMEC’s annual Hope Awards Benefit and Congressional
Breakfast in Washington, D.C. to commemorate National Missing
Children’s Day and to recognize law enforcement officials and others
who have contributed to the recovery of missing children.
The following missing children will appear on Ms. McGann’s golf bag
during 2004 LPGA Tour events in which she participates. This information
can change at any time, as children are located.
Karen Grajeda — Welch’s/Fry’s Championship, March 11-14,
Randolph North Golf Complex (Dell Urich Golf Course) Tucson, Arizona Karen
Grajeda’s photo is shown age progressed to 15 years. She was last
seen playing outside in front of her apartment complex on West Valencia
Street in Tucson on January 11, 1996. She has dark brownish-black hair and
her right front tooth is larger than her other teeth. She has pierced ears
and was wearing a gold chain with a pendant on it.
Jesse Florez — Safeway International, March 18-21, Superstition
Mountain Golf and Country Club, Superstition, Arizona Jesse, now 17, was
last seen leaving his home in Phoenix on September 14, 2001, en route to a
party. He has not been seen or heard from since that time. He has a
piercing in the lower lobe of his right ear and a piercing in the
cartilage of his upper right ear. He also has a black dot in the corner
of his right eye. His nickname is Lil' Droopy.
William Smith — Kraft Nabisco Championship, March 25-28, Mission
Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage, California Five year-old William was
abducted from San Bernardino by his non-custodial mother, Lorraine Desiree
Smith, on December 5, 2003. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor
on January 29, 2004. They may be traveling in the company of an adult
male. The child's two upper front teeth are missing.
Taylor White –– Office Depot Championship hosted by Amy
Alcott, April 2-4, El Caballero Country Club, Tarzana, California Taylor
was abducted from Los Angeles by her non-custodial mother, Joyce Thomas,
on July 12, 2002. She now is eight years old. A felony warrant was
issued for the abductor on April 9, 2003. They may still be in the local
area. Joyce has a mole near her right temple. She may use the alias date
of birth June 23, 1952.
Alexis Miranda –- LPGA Takefuji Classic, April 15-17, The Las Vegas
Country Club, Las Vegas, Nevada Five year-old Alexis was abducted from
Reno by his non-custodial father, Israel Miranda, on January 19, 2003. A
felony warrant was issued for the abductor on March 21, 2003. They may
have left the country and traveled to Mexico. They may be traveling in a
black 1999 Volkswagen Jetta with Nevada license plates 224PDU, or in a
purple 1999 Dodge Neon with Nevada license plates 530JUC. The abductor
has a scar on his abdomen. He may use an alternate spelling of Isreal for
his first name and the alias last name Miranda-Varella.
Brandon Wade — Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy
Lopez, April 29 – May 2, Eagles Landing Country Club, Stockbridge,
Georgia Brandon and his mother, Paula Ann Wade, were last seen at their
home in Valdosta, Georgia, on October 14, 2002. They have not been seen
or heard from since and are believed to be endangered. Brandon's nickname
is Munchkin. He now is four years old. Paula has a birthmark on the upper
part of one of her legs and her top canine teeth protrude in front of her
other top teeth. She may also use the last name McGrath.
Michelle Rine — Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill, May 6-9, Kingsmill
Resort and Spa, Williamsburg, Virginia Michelle now is 12 years old. She
was abducted by her non-custodial mother, Wanda Ortiz, from Virginia
Beach, Virginia, on July 24, 2002. A felony warrant was issued for the
abductor on February 3, 2004. They may still be in the local area or they
may have traveled to Florida or Puerto Rico. Michelle’s ears are
pierced. Wanda may go by the alias last name Luna or Padilla.
Lucy Meadows — Franklin American Mortgage Championship Benefiting
Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, May 13-16,Vanderbilt Legends Club,
Franklin, Tennessee Twelve year-old Lucy's photo is shown aged to 11
years. She was last seen in the parking lot of the Rivergate Mall in
Goodlettsville, Tennessee, on July 25, 1996. She was last seen wearing a
blue denim dress, white socks and white canvas shoes.
Crystal Lora — Sybase Classic presented by Lincoln Mercury, May
20-23, Wykagyl Country Club, New Rochelle, New York Fourteen year-old
Crystal was last seen at her home in Valhalla, New York, on September 10,
2003. She has pierced ears and a small scar on her right shoulder.
Samantha Kibalo — LPGA Corning Classic, May 27-30, Corning Country
Club, Corning, New York Samantha's photo is shown age-progressed to 4
years and she now is five years old. She was abducted by her
non-custodial mother, Ann Kibalo, from Suffern, New York, on February 3,
2001. A FBI warrant for kidnapping was issued for the abductor on January
15, 2002. They may be traveling with a 12 pound red mini Tibetan Spaniel
dog. The abductor may use eyeglasses while driving, may seek treatment
for a dental condition and may frequent medical facilities and doctor's
offices with Samantha.
Ayzia Turner — Kellogg-Keebler Classic, June 4-6, Stonebridge
Country Club, Aurora, Illinois Ayzia and her sister, Riana ,may be in the
company of their non-custodial mother. Ayzia is eight and Riana is 13
years old. They have been missing from Chicago since January 19, 2003,
and may have traveled out of the state. Ayzia has a scar on the middle of
her chest. Riana may use the last name East.
Shawn White — McDonald’s LPGA Championship, June 10-13, Dupont
Country Club, Wilmington, Delaware Shawn is now one year old. He was last
seen with his father in Wilmington on December 8, 2002. The child's father
has since been located but the child's whereabouts remain unknown. Shawn
was last seen wearing green and white pajamas and a gray Mickey Mouse
snowsuit. Shawn has long eyelashes and thick eyebrows.
Julien Hill — ShopRite LPGA Classic, June 18-20, Marriott Seaview
Resort & Spa (Bay Course), Absecon, New Jersey Julien was last seen on
January 8, 2004. He is four years old and was abducted from Morganville,
New Jersey, by his non-custodial mother, Veron Reed. A felony warrant was
issued for the abductor on January 23, 2004. They may still be in the
local area, or they may have traveled to Maryland or Pennsylvania. Julien
has a mark on the left side of his chin and a mark on his left shoulder.
Veron has a tattoo of a rose on her right thigh.
Brianna Rideout - Wegman's Rochester LPGA Presented by Lincoln Mercury,
June 24-27, Locust Hill Country Club, Pittsford, New York Brianna, now
sevem years old, and her brother, Sean, now eight, may be in the company
of their non-custodial mother. They were last seen on November 13, 2001,
in Albany, New York, and may have traveled out of state. Brianna has a
scar on her cheek. She is bow legged and pigeon-toed. Her nickname is
Bree. Sean has a burn mark on his left forearm. His nicknames are
"Little Sean" and Junior.
McKenna Smith — US Women’s Open conducted by the USGA, July
1-4, Orchards Golf Club, South Hadley, Massachusetts Their non-custodial
mother, Heidi Jean Raleigh, abducted McKenna and her sister, Taylor, from
Ludlow, Massachusetts, on January 27, 2003. A felony warrant was issued
for the abductor on April 25, 2003. McKenna is seven and Taylor is six.
Both children have pierced ears. When the abductor was last seen, she had
dyed her hair blonde, but it is naturally brown. The abductor may use the
last name Smith.
Javis Noble — Giant Eagle LPGA Classic, July 16-18, Squaw Creek
Country Club, Vienna, Ohio Javis and his sister Turquiose were last seen
on May 30, 2002 in Massillon, Ohio. Javis now is four and his sister,
Turquiose, is three. They may be in the company of their non-custodial
mother and an adult male, and may be in the Stark County, Ohio, area or
may have traveled to Baltimore, Maryland. Javis and Turquiose are biracial
- black and white. Turquiose may go by the nickname Corkey.
Derrick Martre — The Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic presented by
Kellogg, August 5-8, Highland Meadows Golf Club, Sylvania, Ohio Thirteen
year-old Derrick's photo is shown aged to 11 years. He, along with
sisters Khadija and Zaimah, were abducted from Toledo, Ohio, by their
non-custodial mother, Lalita Matter, on November 13, 1999. A FBI unlawful
flight to avoid prosecution warrant was issued for the abductor on November
16, 1999. They may be in the company of an adult male. The children have
multiple scars and skin discolorations on their bodies. The abductor may
use the alias name Lalita Muhammad, Anquenette King, Sandy Owens, or
Kutana Kirkland.
Erica Baker — Wendy’s Championship for Children, Aug 19-22,
Tartan Fields Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio Erica is now 15 years old. Her
photo is shown age progressed to 14 years. She left her house to walk her
dog in Kettering, Ohio, between 3 and 3:30 PM on February 7, 1999. The dog
was later found but Erica has not been seen since. She was wearing a pink
rain jacket, a pink Winnie the Pooh sweatshirt, blue jeans and white tennis
shoes. Erica's front teeth are crooked.
Sheena Vasquez — Wachovia LPGA Classic hosted by Betsy King, Aug
26-29, Berkleigh Country Club, Kurtztown, Pennsylvania Sheena is now 10
years old. She was abducted by her non-custodial mother, Julianna Antonia
Dorsett, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on January 17, 2002. A FBI unlawful
flight to avoid prosecution warrant was issued for the abductor on April
12, 2002. They may have traveled out of the state. Sheena and the
abductor both have pierced ears. Sheena may be known by the nickname
Niquia.
Trudy Appleby — State Farm Classic, Sept 2-5, The Rail Golf Club,
Springfield, Illinois Twenty year-old Trudy's photo is shown
age-progressed to 16 years. She was last seen getting into a silver or
grey, box-type vehicle with an unknown white male on August 21, 1996 in
Moline. The male was described in his 20's with brown curly hair.
Kirsten Hatfield — John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic, Sept 10-12, Cedar
Ridge Country Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma Kirsten's photo is shown
age-progressed to 14 years. She now is 15. She disappeared from her bed
in Midwest City, Oklahoma sometime between 11:30 PM May 13 and 6:30 AM May
14, 1997.
Miguel Juan Gomez — Safeway Classic presented by Pepsi, Sept 17-19,
Columbia Edgewater Country Club, Portland, Oregon Miguel and his brother
Nazario were last seen on June 9, 2003, in Portland, Oregon. Miguel now
is three and Nazario is one. They may be in the company of their
non-custodial mother. They may still be in the local area or they may
have traveled to Raymondville, Texas. Nazario was born without his right
eye and may be in need of medical attention.
Michael Navarro — Longs Drugs Challenge, Sept 23-26, Shinnecock
Hills Golf Club, Sacramento, California Michael now is seven years old.
His photo is shown age-progressed to six years. His non-custodial mother,
Maria Rocio Precede, abducted him on October 28, 1999, from Sacramento,
California. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on May 4, 2001.
They may have left the country and traveled to Mexico. Michael has a
birthmark on his upper left leg. The abductor may use the alias name
Rocio Navarro.
Kevin McClam — Asahi Ryokuken Int’l Championship at Mt.
Vintage, Oct 7-10, Mt. Vintage Plantation Golf Club, North Augusta, South
Carolina Twenty-two year-old Kevin's photo is shown age-progressed to 18
years. He was last seen playing video games in his home in Goose Creek,
South Carolina, during the early morning hours of March 30, 1997. He has
not been seen or heard from since. His clothing was found at a nearby
building site.
Thomas Wagoner — Samsung World Championship, Oct 14-17, The Players
Course at the Woodlands, Woodlands, Texas Thomas now is 14. He was last
seen on October 1, 2003, in Flint, Texas. Thomas was abducted by his
non-custodial father, Tom Wagoner. A felony warrant was issued for the
abductor on November 6, 2003. They may still be in the local area or they
may have traveled to Arkansas. Thomas and the abductor may be traveling
in a white 2002 Ford Econoline van with Texas license plates S89YJC. The
abductor has
multiple tattoos on his shoulders and arms. He may go by the alias first
name Thomas, Tommy, Jamie, Jerry, or Kirby, and the alias last name
Wagler, Moon, or Rhodes.
Cameron Smith — LPGA Tournament of Champions, Nov 11-14, Robert
Trent Jones Golf Trail, Alabama Cameron will be four years old on
October 26. He was abducted from Bryant, Alabama, by his non-custodial
father, Jerry Gene Smith, on October 30, 2001. A felony warrant was
issued for the abductor on March 15, 2002. The abductor may dye his hair
another color and often uses the first name Jerry Gene. They may still be
in the local area, or could be traveling with an adult male relative to
Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, or Florida. Cameron's nickname is CJ.
Zachary Rants — ADT Championship, Nov 18-21, Trump International
Golf Club, West Palm Beach, Florida Four year-old Zachary has been
missing from Fort Myers since February 10, 2003. The child may be in the
company of his non-custodial mother. They may also be traveling with an
adult male. The child's nickname is Zach.
Brianna Warnes — Wendy’s Three Tour Challenge, Dec 18-19,
Reflection Bay Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada Eleven
year-old Brianna was abducted from Henderson, Nevada, by her non-custodial
mother, Traci Renee Hawkins, on March 31, 1996. Her photo shows her age
progressed to eight years. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor
on December 12, 1996. The abductor has scars on her abdomen, chest and
right arm. The abductor may use the alias last name Warnes or Peterson,
and she may dye her hair.
|
|