Operation Photo Press Release

Operation Photo Announces Press Conference to Present Donated Digital Cameras to Military Families on Valentine’s Day and Extends National Initiative through Independence Day, 2005

Operation Photo, the national initiative founded by 30 Minute Photos Etc. to raise used digital cameras for donation to military families will hold a joint press conference with Operation Homefront, the non-profit military family support organization, to present donated digital cameras from across the nation to military families on Valentine’s Day.

(Irvine, CA) February 10, 2005—This is a national Valentine’s Day story certain to capture everyone’s emotions: Since its grassroots launch just one month ago, Operation Photo has received donated digital cameras from people and companies across the nation for donation to military families. www.operationphoto.us along with www.operationhomefront.net will host a press conference to discuss this national grassroots campaign in front of “a wall of digital cameras.” The initiative has been covered extensively by the digital camera, photography and military family support media and websites. National media including “The Chicago Tribune” and a live interview on the Fox Network News helped garner attention for this effort. Founded by Mitch Goldstone, a well-known photo industry leader and owner of 30 Minute Photos Etc., his objective was to boost morale of deployed service members and their families through the power of photographs. Goldstone got the id ea during a 7:00 AM call from professional photographer Jennifer Petersen (Ladera Ranch, CA ) who explained how important sharing pictures is for families separated by military deployment. Within hours he linked up with Operation Homefront and reached out to his national database of online photo customers—because all of them own digital cameras and many had older models packed away in their “appliance draws.”

The Eastman Kodak Company and Olympus America each have donated one hundred digital cameras to Operation Photo. Other manufactures are reviewing their participation as well. Initially, Operation Photo’s goal was to raise cameras by Valentine’s Day, but due to the requests of so many military families, the organization will announce on Monday that it has broadened its objective to raise 10,000 digital cameras by Independence Day, July 4th.

All recipients of the donated digital cameras are receiving a 40% discount for ordering Kodak-quality photos online from the organization’s founder, 30 Minute Photos Etc and its national online photo service www.30minphotos.com. All those donating used digital cameras in working condition are receiving a special 25% discount through Dec 31 for ordering photos online from www.30minphotos.com. Donated digital cameras are being presented to www.operationhomefront.net the non-profit (501-C3) military family support organization based in San Diego.

To donate used, working condition digital cameras, send to: “Operation Photo” c/o 30 Minute Photos Etc. 92 Corporate Park Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606.

The specifics for Monday’s press conference are as follows:

What: Operation Photo press conference to present donated digital cameras to Operation Homefront and military families. Speakers include the founder of Operation Photo, president & executive director of Operation Homefront and military families. Photo op includes “a wall of digital cameras” being presented to military families.

Where: 30 Minute Photos Etc. 92 Corporate Park Plaza, Irvine, CA 92606 (corner of Jamboree & Barranca Pkway, Irvine)

When: Monday, February 14, 2005

Time: 10:15 AM