JPMorgan Chase and Co helps restore photos of Hurricane Sandy victims

JP Morgan Chase and Co. is supporting the victims of Hurricane Sandy through an operation to digitally restore photos damaged in the natural disaster, the financial services firm said Tuesday.

The US not-for-profit Operation Photo Rescue will allow people to bring in their spoiled pictures to be assessed and potentially restored by a group of volunteers.

The operation will be held on February 2th and 3rd in Manhattan and will be hosted by the School of Visual Arts Masters in Digital Photography programme.

PhotoShelter, DigMyPics, Imagingetc, and Ken Allen Studios are also getting behind the federally registered charity's initiative which is comprised of a worldwide network of helpers.

JP Morgan said the operation will accept walks ins and appointments through its website www.operationphotorescue.org.

"Following family and pets, photos are the next most cherished possession, as the memories captured in photos are all that remain after a natural disaster," the company said in a statement.

Chase, through its Technology for Social Good programme, is supplying the imaging stations, software and volunteers to help make the photos available electronically.

The School of Visual Arts will provide imaging technology, volunteers and the venue.

DigMyPics will donate all of the printing and shipping of restored photo while PhotoShelter will provide free online storage of photos and Imagingetc and Ken Allen Studios will offer equipment and volunteers who are experienced in handling and digitising delicate photographs.

Operation Photo Rescue volunteers from the US and 76 other countries have returned more than 9,000 restored photos to survivors of hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and wildfires.

RD