Company Pledges Cash Donation from Sale of Special Anniversary Bag
Sebastopol, CA â€" December 12, 2006 â€" Lowepro, the worldwide leader of protective cases and backpacks for imaging products, notebook computers and personal electronics, today announced a philanthropic partnership with Polar Bears International (PBI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the worldwide conservation of the polar bear. Lowepro will soon introduce a commemorative bag designed for professional photographers to mark the company’s 40th anniversary, with a percentage of profits from the sale of the bag to help fund PBI research and the association’s ongoing global efforts to create awareness on climatic and environmental threats faced by the polar bear population. The initiative continues Lowepro’s ongoing tradition of partnering with agencies and associations whose missions are to preserve nature and the environment, including Amazon Watch, Raincoast Conservation Society and many others.
“For forty years, we have proudly provided the photography industry with innovative, high-quality products, extending a legacy which began with our founder Greg Lowe in 1967,� said Uwe Mummenhoff, Chairman at Lowepro. “In the spirit of giving back to nature, which has supplied photographers with countless numbers of awe-inspiring images, our company maintains a long heritage of supporting environmental and animal protection organizations around the world. We continue this tradition by donating proceeds from our commemorative anniversary backpack to Polar Bears International. The organization works tirelessly to educate consumers worldwide on the potential dangers these animals face, including the very real possibility of placement on the endangered species list. Lowepro is pleased to have the opportunity to support PBI’s critical mission.�
Polar Bears International’s primary goals are to conserve the world’s polar bears through research and education, and to serve as a central educational resource on polar bears worldwide. A potentially threatened species that could easily become endangered, the major threat to the polar bear is climate change due to global warming. Polar bears are also jeopardized by pollution, poaching, and industrial disturbances. All officers and directors serve the foundation without pay or expense reimbursement, so the organization is able to apply 100 percent of its revenue directly to research programming. This impressive ratio ranks higher than other charitable organizations and foundations, including Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the American Red Cross which have the highest ratio of admin-to-research costs among all 501c3 charities.
“PBI and Lowepro are both profoundly dedicated to conservation through research and education,� says Robert Buchanan, president of Polar Bears International. “Together we are confident that we can start to change the overall mindset of individuals through kids teaching kids about how to think globally and act locally.�
Additional details about the availability of Lowepro’s commemorative 40th anniversary backpack will be available shortly. In addition to the anniversary backpack, Lowepro will also celebrate in 2007 by sponsoring an international photography competition with 100 percent of the entry fees going to PBI. Details about the photography competition will be available at https://www.lowepro.com in coming weeks.
About Lowepro
Lowepro founder Greg Lowe established the company’s reputation for quality and innovative design in 1967 when he introduced the world’s first internal-frame backpack. 40 years later, Lowepro is continuing to revolutionize the industry with pioneering design and superior quality with the most extensive line of protective carrying solutions for photographic and electronic equipment including products for cameras, camcorders, notebook computers, imaging accessories and portable consumer electronics.
Lowepro products are distributed in more than 100 countries around the globe through photo, outdoor, computer, consumer electronic, mail order and online resellers, in addition to OEM partnerships. Lowepro Corporate Offices are located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and China. For more information about Lowepro or Lowepro products, visit www.lowepro.com.
About Polar Bears International
Polar Bears International was founded in 1992 by wildlife photographer Dan Guravich, a Canadian native who was internationally known for his work with polar bears. Dan served as PBI’s first president. He resigned in 1995 for health reasons, but remained active as chairman of the board until his death in 1997. Today, members of the PBI board of directors and advisory council are scattered across the U.S. and Canada.
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