Olympus: Request for Support - Update

Today, my letter went out to Jennifer Lyons, Public Relations Manager at Olympus Imaging America.

I had emailed Olympus Pro Services Division earlier this month about requesting a back-up E-1 digital camera body & battery grip, as well as one of their fast 35-100mm F2 pro zooms, or their 150mm F2 pro telephoto lenses, for the upcomming trip (I only own the one Digital Zuiko 14-54mm lens & can't shoot longer tele images with it) - as at over $2,200/USD each I can't possibly afford to purchase them, and their Pro Svs. Diviision does make loaner equipment available to their working Pro's for evaluation in the field.

I also sent the link to this website, in the hopes that Olympus can see what I'm trying to do with my photography in Philippines, to raise awareness & support for the street Children & Families in need I'm trying to help there - and documenting their needs with my personal Olympus cameras. (I've used Olympus digital cameras since 1999, and their Pro SLR's in Philippines since 2003)

Having said that, I took it a step further and asked Jennifer at Olympus if they would consider becoming a Sponsor of Project Rice, in whatever way they'd choose to - but specifically I asked them for their support in 2 areas:

1. Sponsoring/underwriting a portion of my logistical support & overhead costs while in Philippines.
2. Sponsoring Project Rice with an equipment donation (refurbished, demos, salesmans samples of one E-1 camera body & one or two lenses of their choosing - they don't need to be new)

I told Jennifer I'd be pleased to put up 2 Olympus banners on pages 1 & 2 of this website, and be proud to tell the world that Olympus is an Official Sponsor of Project Rice (and we do get pRICE viewers from all over the World, including the USA & Canada, Europe, Mexico, Australia, Asia, UAE and more - last week alone I think there were over 21 countries tuning in here)

Canon Imaging is already doing this for www.digitaljournalist.org (click on "dispatches, notes from the field" link) where they have a prominent banner at the top of that page proclaiming their support - and for other humanitarian photojournalists using their equipment around the world.
see Canon's Sponsorship logo here on digitaljournalist.org

The bottom line is that with all the time & energy I'm putting into this, my own resources are only carrying me so far.

I very much need to be Sponsored, either Corporately or Privately....or both.

Thanks for listening to me today - I'll be sure to post any updates that come along on the Olympus Spoonsor Support issue,
PJAMES