No thanks Polaroid

This week we called Polariod after they had us fill out a long application. We originally sent them the letter below and they replied and had us fill out the application. We finally had to call them about the application and they told us they do not do any international charity. It would have been nice to know this before they had us fill out all the paperwork! It would also have been nice if they had called us instead of waiting until we called them. Now we are short on time and working on other options. I just wanted to save others the time. If you are going to ask Polaroid for help only do so if you are not international. Otherwise they will just be wasting your time. I would never have said anything if they had just said 'No'. Instead they had us fill out the application when they knew ahead of time they would say no. Very bad policy Polaroid.

We're currently looking at digital printers that can operate on battery. If you know anyone that can help, please contact us.

Here is the letter we sent them.
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July 28, 2005

Dear Polaroid,

I am leading a trip to an orphanage in Namibia Africa in November. I would like to present you with a unique opportunity which I recognized on a trip to the same orphanage last year.

I brought a digital camera with me and never expected the response of joy when I would take someone’s picture and show them the back of the camera. There was laughter, giggles and hope in a place that you would never expect it. I have enclosed some of those pictures from an area called Block-E where the orphanage is located. This is a shanty town of approximately 10,000 people where entire families sleep on the ground inside small shacks made of all types of refuse.

On the next trip, I would like to bring a Polaroid camera and as much film as I can possibly pack. I want to take a picture and instantly hand the families and children their picture. I believe this will be an extraordinary experience to these people. Most have never seen themselves in a mirror and could never afford a simple photograph. For people who have absolutely nothing, a simple family picture made by Polaroid will bring them pride, hope and joy.

It is my hope that Polaroid would somehow like to sponsor this portion of our trip. We can video tape and photograph and would be happy and willing to report back on the results. This could not only promote Polaroid, but could also promote a region that is experiencing social and economic devastation.

The tip leaves on ___ and is organized through Rock Harbor Church (http://www.rockharbor.org) in Costa Mesa, California. They run numerous mission trips around the world. This trip is focused on the AIDS epidemic where over half of the children are currently growing up without parents. We are teaching a choose to wait program and bringing health and teaching resources to the over worked staff that run the orphanage. It is a life changing experience for all participants.

Please help us.

Sincerely,