Konica Minolta Supports Veterans

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. (Konica Minolta), a printing technology provider, announced activities the company engaged in last month to pay homage to our nation’s heroes.

On Sept. 9, the company hosted the Patriot Pack as the group embarked on a 1,500-mile journey from New Jersey to Florida in honor of U.S. veterans. The Patriot Pack is a charity Harley motorcycle riding group whose members are all office technology industry veterans. The group started riding together in 2013 when they participated in Rolling Thunder, raising funds for a local charity. The group has since ridden every year to raise funds for local charities as well as the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

This year’s ride kicked off at Konica Minolta’s U.S. Headquarters in Ramsey, New Jersey. The company hosted a breakfast for riders, employees, members of the press, and other invited guests, including members of WWP. A live DJ energized the crowd while bagpipers played a moving rendition of Amazing Grace and other songs, which was said to evoke feelings of military pride among attendees.

As the first stop on their journey, Konica Minolta presented the Patriot Pack with a $5,000 donation to ignite their fundraising efforts, while also contributing $10,000 to its corporate social responsibility (CSR) partner WWP in support of veterans.

“At Konica Minolta, honoring and supporting veterans and other military heroes — both within our organization and in the wider community — is deeply woven into the fabric of who we are,” said Sam Errigo, president and CEO of Konica Minolta. “The Patriot Pack’s kickoff event was a powerful reminder of the deep gratitude we owe to those who have sacrificed for our freedom.”

That same week, Konica Minolta activated event attendees at PRINTING United and Labelexpo Americas — as well as its corporate headquarters — to write the name of a first responder, active military member, or veteran on a label and affix it to an American flag. For every name collected, the company pledged to donate $5 in support of two of its CSR partners, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and WWP. A total of $5,000 was raised through names collected in addition to a company match for each.

“The support we receive from Konica Minolta helps Wounded Warrior Project honor and empower warriors in their communities,” said Brea Kratzert Todd, vice president of business development, at WWP. “Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, warriors, and their families never pay a penny for our programs and services.”