IRVINE, CA, Mar 13, 2012 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Toshiba Corporation today announced the grand prize winner of its Helping the Helpers Technology Makeover contest, a nationwide initiative awarding more than $200,000 in technology upgrades to help nonprofit charities become more effective in their causes. Cleveland-based MedWish International has won the $100,000 technology upgrade grand prize after finishing first over four other finalists in a nationwide vote that took place Feb.13 through March 9 on the Toshiba For Good Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/ToshibaForGood ).
MedWish and the other four finalists were among nearly 150 U.S. nonprofit charities that submitted a 2-minute video to the Toshiba For Good Facebook page explaining their mission and how they would benefit from a technology makeover. MedWish will receive a donation of Toshiba products and services that includes new color multifunction copiers, desktop computers, laptops, televisions, camcorders, telephone systems and even energy-saving LED light bulbs to help it reduce costs, streamline operations and conserve resources. Also included in the grand prize package is the award-winning Encompass(TM) fleet optimization program -- an analysis that will help uncover hidden cost savings throughout any workplace.
"We believe that in MedWish International, our Facebook fans have selected a worthy grand prize winner. MedWish made it so evident in their video how technology affects so many aspects of their operation and how the gift of new technology would allow them to do their job more efficiently," said Bill Melo, vice president of marketing, services & solutions at Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. "With this $100,000 technology upgrade, MedWish will definitely be better able to serve developing countries around the world."
Targeting deserving nonprofit charity organizations with a valid 501(c)3 status, Toshiba's Helping the Helpers contest is part of Toshiba Corporation's global corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative that contributed upward of $323 million over the past two years.
"Winning the grand prize of $100,000 in Toshiba technology represents a quantum leap forward for MedWish International. We'll be able to save more lives globally, while conserving more of our precious resources," said Matthew Fieldman, director of development, MedWish International. "We had voters from many of our recipient countries, including Ghana and Nigeria, where the same healthcare providers that received our medical supplies were enthusiastically voting for MedWish. We can't thank Toshiba enough for their support of our mission, as it will truly translate to better healthcare for people around the world."
Founded in 1993 by Cleveland native Dr. Lee Ponsky, MedWish International recycles medical supplies and equipment discarded by local hospitals, medical device companies and individuals by redistributing them to developing nations in desperate need of such items. This social enterprise -- operated by just eight employees -- prevents unnecessary landfill waste and saves lives around the world.
MedWish is joined by four other finalists, each receiving $28,500 in technology upgrades: Chino, Calif.-based Together We Rise; Princeton, Mass.-based NEADS/Dogs for Deaf; Neptune, N.J.-based Move for Hunger; and Jersey City, N.J.-based New City Kids.
About Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. Irvine, Calif.-based Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc., (TABS) is an independent operating company of Toshiba Corporation, the world's eighth-largest electronics/electrical equipment company. TABS is a leading managed document services (MDS) provider with experts that help organizations take control of document security, workflow and print environments. With the award-winning Encompass(TM) managed print services (MPS) program, e-STUDIO(TM) line of multifunction printers (MFPs), toner products and retail information systems, TABS is leading the way for businesses to print smarter, work safer and conserve resources. For more information on Toshiba solutions and services available in the United States and Latin America, please visit www.business.toshiba.com .
Follow Toshiba: Facebook www.facebook.com/ToshibaCopiers Twitter @ToshibaMPS Blog business.toshiba.com/blog
Press Room: http://business.toshiba.com/usa/about/press
Original Post