Cannon U.S.A. Adds LPGA's Michelle McGann to Canon4Kids

LAKE SUCCESS, NY - March 8, 2004 - Golfer Michelle McGann, a seven-time winner on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, is participating in Canon4Kids, the program created by Canon U.S.A. that seeks to help locate missing children across America. Beginning with the first LPGA Tour event (March 11-14) and continuing for each tournament in which she plays, Ms. McGann will place a digital photograph of a local missing child on her golf bag. Canon U.S.A., Inc. is a leader in digital imaging and a subsidiary of Canon Inc. (NYSE: CAJ).

Canon4Kids generates awareness and raises money for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing services nationwide for families and professionals in the prevention of abducted, endangered and sexually exploited children.

Based on a 2002 U.S. Department of Justice report that cites the most recent statistics from 1999, nearly 800,000 children are reported missing annually - more than 2,000 each day. One of six children featured in NCMEC's photo-distribution network is found directly by people who see the photographs and then contact authorities.

Ms. McGann, who qualified for the LPGA Tour on her first attempt in 1988 when she was 18 years old, also will include on her bag the toll free phone number - 1-800-THE-LOST - for people to use if they have any information about the children in the photographs. The children in the Canon4Kids program are selected by NCMEC. Information about the children who will appear on Ms. McGann's golf bag during 2004 can be found at the end of this announcement.

"I am so glad to join Canon in raising awareness about our missing children and to provide an opportunity for so many people who follow the LPGA Tour to see some of these faces and learn the phone number to call if they have any information," said Ms. McGann. "I hope my efforts also will encourage fans of the Tour to become more involved in the protection of our young people."

An additional component of Canon4Kids is tied to Ms. McGann's performance on the LPGA Tour. For each birdie registered by Ms. McGann, Canon will donate $100 to NCMEC. Each eagle is worth $250 and $1,000 is donated for every hole-in-one.

Ms. McGann, ranked the nation's top amateur by GOLF Magazine and Golf Digest in 1987, is tied with the best playoff record (4-0) in LPGA history.

Canon U.S.A., Inc. delivers consumer, business-to-business, and industrial imaging solutions. The Company is listed as one of Fortune's Most Admired Companies in America, and is ranked #39 on the Business Week list of "Top 100 Brands." Its parent company Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ) is a top patent-holder of technology, ranking second overall in the U.S. in 2003, with global revenues of $29.9 billion. For more information, visit www.usa.canon.com.

Alexandria, Virginia-based NCMEC is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization that works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. NCMEC has access to both the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and National Law Enforcement Telecommunications Systems (NLETS). Created in 1984, NCMEC has aided law enforcement officials in the search for more than 95,000 missing children. More than 80,000 children have been recovered as a result. For more information about NCMEC, call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678), or visit www.missingkids.com.

Featuring the world's best women golfers, the LPGA's membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in 2004 features 34 events, with more than 260 hours of television coverage and total prize money of nearly $41 million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised more than $139.5 million for charity.

From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the world's preeminent women's professional sports organization. The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. The LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) membership boasts a total of nearly 1,200 women golf professionals who serve as teachers, golf professionals, club managers and coaches. Through the LPGA T&CP membership, the LPGA is working to increase the involvement of women and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the growth of the sport overall. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. For more information, visit www.LPGA.com.

CANON4KIDS FACTS

Canon U.S.A. and The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children have collaborated since 1997 to raise public awareness about the growing issue of child abduction. Canon stresses the need for parents to update photos and have them available to assist authorities in a search for a missing child. Canon has provided photographic and printing products to law enforcement agencies nationwide to aid in the recovery of missing children. For more information: www.missingkids.com

Canon4Kids features pictures of missing children along with the NCMEC hotline (1-800-THE-LOST) in various venues. As part of the effort, PGA TOUR golfer Briny Baird and LPGA Tour golfer Michelle McGann place digital photos of local missing children on their golf bags during each tournament in which they play. The photos are seen by millions of people who watch in person or on television.

Through Canon4Kids, Canon U.S.A. also has:

Hosted the annual Canon Celebrity Golf Challenge in Las Vegas.
Created public service advertisements with photographs of missing children for national newspapers and magazines.
Donated digital cameras, scanners and printers to assist law enforcement nationwide in quickly disseminating photos and information about missing children
Sponsored NCMEC's annual Hope Awards Benefit and Congressional Breakfast in Washington, D.C. to commemorate National Missing Children's Day and to recognize law enforcement officials and others who have contributed to the recovery of missing children.

The following missing children will appear on Ms. McGann's golf bag during 2004 LPGA Tour events in which she participates. This information can change at any time, as children are located.

Karen Grajeda - Welch's/Fry's Championship, March 11-14, Randolph North Golf Complex (Dell Urich Golf Course) Tucson, Arizona Karen Grajeda's photo is shown age progressed to 15 years. She was last seen playing outside in front of her apartment complex on West Valencia Street in Tucson on January 11, 1996. She has dark brownish-black hair and her right front tooth is larger than her other teeth. She has pierced ears and was wearing a gold chain with a pendant on it.

Jesse Florez - Safeway International, March 18-21, Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club, Superstition, Arizona Jesse, now 17, was last seen leaving his home in Phoenix on September 14, 2001, en route to a party. He has not been seen or heard from since that time. He has a piercing in the lower lobe of his right ear and a piercing in the cartilage of his upper right ear. He also has a black dot in the corner of his right eye. His nickname is Lil' Droopy.

William Smith - Kraft Nabisco Championship, March 25-28, Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage, California Five year-old William was abducted from San Bernardino by his non-custodial mother, Lorraine Desiree Smith, on December 5, 2003. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on January 29, 2004. They may be traveling in the company of an adult male. The child's two upper front teeth are missing.

Taylor White -- Office Depot Championship hosted by Amy Alcott, April 2-4, El Caballero Country Club, Tarzana, California Taylor was abducted from Los Angeles by her non-custodial mother, Joyce Thomas, on July 12, 2002. She now is eight years old. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on April 9, 2003. They may still be in the local area. Joyce has a mole near her right temple. She may use the alias date of birth June 23, 1952.

Alexis Miranda -- LPGA Takefuji Classic, April 15-17, The Las Vegas Country Club, Las Vegas, Nevada Five year-old Alexis was abducted from Reno by his non-custodial father, Israel Miranda, on January 19, 2003. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on March 21, 2003. They may have left the country and traveled to Mexico. They may be traveling in a black 1999 Volkswagen Jetta with Nevada license plates 224PDU, or in a purple 1999 Dodge Neon with Nevada license plates 530JUC. The abductor has a scar on his abdomen. He may use an alternate spelling of Isreal for his first name and the alias last name Miranda-Varella.

Brandon Wade - Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez, April 29 - May 2, Eagles Landing Country Club, Stockbridge, Georgia Brandon and his mother, Paula Ann Wade, were last seen at their home in Valdosta, Georgia, on October 14, 2002. They have not been seen or heard from since and are believed to be endangered. Brandon's nickname is Munchkin. He now is four years old. Paula has a birthmark on the upper part of one of her legs and her top canine teeth protrude in front of her other top teeth. She may also use the last name McGrath.

Michelle Rine - Michelob ULTRA Open at Kingsmill, May 6-9, Kingsmill Resort and Spa, Williamsburg, Virginia Michelle now is 12 years old. She was abducted by her non-custodial mother, Wanda Ortiz, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, on July 24, 2002. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on February 3, 2004. They may still be in the local area or they may have traveled to Florida or Puerto Rico. Michelle's ears are pierced. Wanda may go by the alias last name Luna or Padilla.

Lucy Meadows - Franklin American Mortgage Championship Benefiting Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, May 13-16,Vanderbilt Legends Club, Franklin, Tennessee Twelve year-old Lucy's photo is shown aged to 11 years. She was last seen in the parking lot of the Rivergate Mall in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, on July 25, 1996. She was last seen wearing a blue denim dress, white socks and white canvas shoes.

Crystal Lora - Sybase Classic presented by Lincoln Mercury, May 20-23, Wykagyl Country Club, New Rochelle, New York Fourteen year-old Crystal was last seen at her home in Valhalla, New York, on September 10, 2003. She has pierced ears and a small scar on her right shoulder.

Samantha Kibalo - LPGA Corning Classic, May 27-30, Corning Country Club, Corning, New York Samantha's photo is shown age-progressed to 4 years and she now is five years old. She was abducted by her non-custodial mother, Ann Kibalo, from Suffern, New York, on February 3, 2001. A FBI warrant for kidnapping was issued for the abductor on January 15, 2002. They may be traveling with a 12 pound red mini Tibetan Spaniel dog. The abductor may use eyeglasses while driving, may seek treatment for a dental condition and may frequent medical facilities and doctor's offices with Samantha.

Ayzia Turner - Kellogg-Keebler Classic, June 4-6, Stonebridge Country Club, Aurora, Illinois Ayzia and her sister, Riana ,may be in the company of their non-custodial mother. Ayzia is eight and Riana is 13 years old. They have been missing from Chicago since January 19, 2003, and may have traveled out of the state. Ayzia has a scar on the middle of her chest. Riana may use the last name East.

Shawn White - McDonald's LPGA Championship, June 10-13, Dupont Country Club, Wilmington, Delaware Shawn is now one year old. He was last seen with his father in Wilmington on December 8, 2002. The child's father has since been located but the child's whereabouts remain unknown. Shawn was last seen wearing green and white pajamas and a gray Mickey Mouse snowsuit. Shawn has long eyelashes and thick eyebrows.

Julien Hill - ShopRite LPGA Classic, June 18-20, Marriott Seaview Resort & Spa (Bay Course), Absecon, New Jersey Julien was last seen on January 8, 2004. He is four years old and was abducted from Morganville, New Jersey, by his non-custodial mother, Veron Reed. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on January 23, 2004. They may still be in the local area, or they may have traveled to Maryland or Pennsylvania. Julien has a mark on the left side of his chin and a mark on his left shoulder. Veron has a tattoo of a rose on her right thigh.

Brianna Rideout - Wegman's Rochester LPGA Presented by Lincoln Mercury, June 24-27, Locust Hill Country Club, Pittsford, New York Brianna, now sevem years old, and her brother, Sean, now eight, may be in the company of their non-custodial mother. They were last seen on November 13, 2001, in Albany, New York, and may have traveled out of state. Brianna has a scar on her cheek. She is bow legged and pigeon-toed. Her nickname is Bree. Sean has a burn mark on his left forearm. His nicknames are "Little Sean" and Junior.

McKenna Smith - US Women's Open conducted by the USGA, July 1-4, Orchards Golf Club, South Hadley, Massachusetts Their non-custodial mother, Heidi Jean Raleigh, abducted McKenna and her sister, Taylor, from Ludlow, Massachusetts, on January 27, 2003. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on April 25, 2003. McKenna is seven and Taylor is six. Both children have pierced ears. When the abductor was last seen, she had dyed her hair blonde, but it is naturally brown. The abductor may use the last name Smith.

Javis Noble - Giant Eagle LPGA Classic, July 16-18, Squaw Creek Country Club, Vienna, Ohio Javis and his sister Turquiose were last seen on May 30, 2002 in Massillon, Ohio. Javis now is four and his sister, Turquiose, is three. They may be in the company of their non-custodial mother and an adult male, and may be in the Stark County, Ohio, area or may have traveled to Baltimore, Maryland. Javis and Turquiose are biracial - black and white. Turquiose may go by the nickname Corkey.

Derrick Martre - The Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic presented by Kellogg, August 5-8, Highland Meadows Golf Club, Sylvania, Ohio Thirteen year-old Derrick's photo is shown aged to 11 years. He, along with sisters Khadija and Zaimah, were abducted from Toledo, Ohio, by their non-custodial mother, Lalita Matter, on November 13, 1999. A FBI unlawful flight to avoid prosecution warrant was issued for the abductor on November 16, 1999. They may be in the company of an adult male. The children have multiple scars and skin discolorations on their bodies. The abductor may use the alias name Lalita Muhammad, Anquenette King, Sandy Owens, or Kutana Kirkland.

Erica Baker - Wendy's Championship for Children, Aug 19-22, Tartan Fields Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio Erica is now 15 years old. Her photo is shown age progressed to 14 years. She left her house to walk her dog in Kettering, Ohio, between 3 and 3:30 PM on February 7, 1999. The dog was later found but Erica has not been seen since. She was wearing a pink rain jacket, a pink Winnie the Pooh sweatshirt, blue jeans and white tennis shoes. Erica's front teeth are crooked.

Sheena Vasquez - Wachovia LPGA Classic hosted by Betsy King, Aug 26-29, Berkleigh Country Club, Kurtztown, Pennsylvania Sheena is now 10 years old. She was abducted by her non-custodial mother, Julianna Antonia Dorsett, from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on January 17, 2002. A FBI unlawful flight to avoid prosecution warrant was issued for the abductor on April 12, 2002. They may have traveled out of the state. Sheena and the abductor both have pierced ears. Sheena may be known by the nickname Niquia.

Trudy Appleby - State Farm Classic, Sept 2-5, The Rail Golf Club, Springfield, Illinois Twenty year-old Trudy's photo is shown age-progressed to 16 years. She was last seen getting into a silver or grey, box-type vehicle with an unknown white male on August 21, 1996 in Moline. The male was described in his 20's with brown curly hair.

Kirsten Hatfield - John Q. Hammons Hotel Classic, Sept 10-12, Cedar Ridge Country Club, Tulsa, Oklahoma Kirsten's photo is shown age-progressed to 14 years. She now is 15. She disappeared from her bed in Midwest City, Oklahoma sometime between 11:30 PM May 13 and 6:30 AM May 14, 1997.

Miguel Juan Gomez - Safeway Classic presented by Pepsi, Sept 17-19, Columbia Edgewater Country Club, Portland, Oregon Miguel and his brother Nazario were last seen on June 9, 2003, in Portland, Oregon. Miguel now is three and Nazario is one. They may be in the company of their non-custodial mother. They may still be in the local area or they may have traveled to Raymondville, Texas. Nazario was born without his right eye and may be in need of medical attention.

Michael Navarro - Longs Drugs Challenge, Sept 23-26, Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Sacramento, California Michael now is seven years old. His photo is shown age-progressed to six years. His non-custodial mother, Maria Rocio Precede, abducted him on October 28, 1999, from Sacramento, California. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on May 4, 2001. They may have left the country and traveled to Mexico. Michael has a birthmark on his upper left leg. The abductor may use the alias name Rocio Navarro.

Kevin McClam - Asahi Ryokuken Int'l Championship at Mt. Vintage, Oct 7-10, Mt. Vintage Plantation Golf Club, North Augusta, South Carolina Twenty-two year-old Kevin's photo is shown age-progressed to 18 years. He was last seen playing video games in his home in Goose Creek, South Carolina, during the early morning hours of March 30, 1997. He has not been seen or heard from since. His clothing was found at a nearby building site.

Thomas Wagoner - Samsung World Championship, Oct 14-17, The Players Course at the Woodlands, Woodlands, Texas Thomas now is 14. He was last seen on October 1, 2003, in Flint, Texas. Thomas was abducted by his non-custodial father, Tom Wagoner. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on November 6, 2003. They may still be in the local area or they may have traveled to Arkansas. Thomas and the abductor may be traveling in a white 2002 Ford Econoline van with Texas license plates S89YJC. The abductor has multiple tattoos on his shoulders and arms. He may go by the alias first name Thomas, Tommy, Jamie, Jerry, or Kirby, and the alias last name Wagler, Moon, or Rhodes.

Cameron Smith - LPGA Tournament of Champions, Nov 11-14, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Alabama Cameron will be four years old on October 26. He was abducted from Bryant, Alabama, by his non-custodial father, Jerry Gene Smith, on October 30, 2001. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on March 15, 2002. The abductor may dye his hair another color and often uses the first name Jerry Gene. They may still be in the local area, or could be traveling with an adult male relative to Texas, Georgia, Tennessee, or Florida. Cameron's nickname is CJ.

Zachary Rants - ADT Championship, Nov 18-21, Trump International Golf Club, West Palm Beach, Florida Four year-old Zachary has been missing from Fort Myers since February 10, 2003. The child may be in the company of his non-custodial mother. They may also be traveling with an adult male. The child's nickname is Zach.

Brianna Warnes - Wendy's Three Tour Challenge, Dec 18-19, Reflection Bay Golf Club at Lake Las Vegas, Henderson, Nevada Eleven year-old Brianna was abducted from Henderson, Nevada, by her non-custodial mother, Traci Renee Hawkins, on March 31, 1996. Her photo shows her age progressed to eight years. A felony warrant was issued for the abductor on December 12, 1996. The abductor has scars on her abdomen, chest and right arm. The abductor may use the alias last name Warnes or Peterson, and she may dye her hair.

CONTACTS:
Mike Virgintino
Canon U.S.A
516-328-4825
Canon U.S.A. Web site:
http://www.usa.canon.com

Dana von Louda
LPGA Tour
386-274-6281

Photos of Michelle McGann and missing children are available


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