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About PPA Charities

As the philanthropic arm of Professional Photographers of America (PPA), PPA Charities allows PPA to become a force for positive change in our society, making a difference in the lives of others.
Established as a charitable, non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization, PPA Charities allows imaging professionals to combine their individual efforts to make an even bigger impact on the lives of children and families everywhere.

Management
PPA Charities Executive Director Bert Behnke 20600 S. Old Wolf Road Mokena, IL 60448 (708) 267-0657 bbehnke@ppa.com

History
In 1997, at the urging of PPA Charities President Bert Behnke, the PPA Board of Directors established PPA Charities as a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization. This organization allows imaging professionals to combine their individual efforts to make an impact on the lives of children and families everywhere.
An initial fund-raising drive resulted in contributions that were invested as a perpetual fund. These monies are used to fund PPA Charities' annual operational budget and reserve fund, which continues to grow through contributions and annual activities.

In 2005, PPA Charities Trustees invited Operation Smile to become its Charitable Partner. A perfect fit for photographers, whose daily business is creating smiles for their clients, Operation Smile's mission is repairing childhood facial deformities including cleft lips and cleft palates. It costs only $240 to complete a simple cleft-palate operation because Operation Smile's medical team volunteers their services. PPA Charities' affiliation with Operation Smile provides PPA-member studios with an opportunity to show consumers they are part of a talented and dedicated group of professionals who work together toward a single charitable purpose: putting smiles on the faces of deserving children around the world.

Past Charitable Activities

PPA Disaster Relief Fund -- In September 2005, the PPA Board of Directors took unprecedented steps to assist photographers whose studios and homes were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. They did so through PPA Charities. The fund provided direct aid to PPA photographers, distributing $1,000 to each PPA-member studio directly affected by Hurricane Katrina. They also contributed $10,000 ($5,000 each) to its two state Affiliates in the hard-hit areas: Professional Photographers of Louisiana and Professional Photographers of Mississippi-Alabama. These Affiliates used the funds to directly assist their members.

Recommended Charity

In addition to Operation Smile, PPA Charities recognizes the outstanding work done by the following organization:

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS)
The Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep Foundation administers a network of volunteer professional photographers who provide a helping hand and a healing heart to families who suffer the loss of a baby at birth or soon after. Volunteer photographers provide gentle, compassionate photographic services that allow families to honor and cherish their babies and to share the spirit of their lives. For more information, log on to www.nilmdts.org.


How to Contribute to PPA Charities:
Transmit your credit card contribution to PPA Charities via our secure server by clicking here or mail a check to:
Bert Behnke, PPA Charities Executive Director
20600 S. Old Wolf Road
Mokena, IL 60448
For additional information, contact Bert at (708) 267-0657 or bbehnke@ppa.com