Konica Minolta and Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Sends Wounded Troops to the Gator Bowl Ten Severely Injured Heroes and their Families will attend January 1st Bowl Game in Jacksonville, Florida
Ossining, N.Y. and Ramsey, N.J. – December 26, 2007 – When Texas Tech and the University of Virginia go head to head at the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl on January 1, 2008 there will be 10 very special guests in the stadium there to watch the game, thanks to the title sponsor, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A. (Konica Minolta) and the nonprofit, nonpartisan group Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes (CSAH). As part of the company’s continued efforts to support local communities in which the company maintains a presence, Konica Minolta donated 25 game tickets to CSAH, the leading nongovernmental organization providing emergency financial aid to severely wounded troops from Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. With this donation, CSAH was able to invite 10 wounded troops and their families, from the state of Florida and around the country to attend the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida. “When we signed on as the title sponsor of the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl, we recognized that it presented us with a great opportunity to honor the brave men and women who have served our country,” said Kevin Kern, vice president of marketing and product planning, Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. “We are very proud to be working with the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, and our entire organization is committed to raising awareness about the needs of our returning wounded heroes and their loved ones.” “What better place and time to honor our American heroes than during one of America’s favorite traditions - a football game on New Year’s Day,” says Thomas Palma, General Manager of CSAH. “Clearly, Konica Minolta understands what it means to give back to those who have given to us and for that we are grateful.” Melbourne, FL resident Gary Boggs, who lost his left eye and suffered a traumatic brain injury after his Humvee ran over a landmine in Iraq, is going to the game. He says, “College football is actually my favorite sport so I am counting down the days until we get to the game. Thank you, Konica Minolta, for giving us this experience.” Another severely injured veteran who received tickets to the game is US Marine Cpl. Donny Daughenbaugh (Ret.). He is bringing a fellow wounded service member from Iowa with him. Daughenbaugh was shot in the face by insurgents while deployed in Iraq in 2004. The bullet missed his vital nerves and brain by millimeters and was too close to his brain to remove. “It is so awesome that Konica Minolta is giving these hard-to-come-by tickets to us. It means a lot that Corporate America remembers us and honors our sacrifices,” he says. The 2008 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl will take place at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on January 1, 2008. The game – which will feature a tribute to these inspirational heroes – is scheduled to kick off at 1.00p EST and will be televised nationally by CBS. For tickets and additional information on the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl, call 904-353-3309 or visit www.gatorbowl.com. # # # | 
