Top Electronics Industry Players Join Forces to Support the MDA

Santa Ana, CA (April XX, 2012) ITT Interconnect Solutions, a leading global manufacturer of reliable, innovative connectors, has joined with PEI-Genesis, Inc. and Avnet Inc.; both electronic component distributors, to support the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Las Vegas (MDA) summer camp program. This worthwhile program allows children fighting muscular dystrophy to come to an environment where children just have fun, with no barriers, if only for one week of the summer. Across the US, these children can enjoy the fun of camp activities at no cost to their families.

How can you help? Each year at the Electronic Distribution Show (EDS), ITT Interconnect Solutions hosts a golf outing, dinner and silent auction to support the MDA Las Vegas summer camp program. This year’s outing is May 7, 2012, at the Arroyo Course at the Red Rock Country Club, followed by dinner at the Four Seasons Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada. There are several ways to get involved. Multiple golf or dinner sponsorship packages are available, with proceeds going to the MDA. Registration is now open! Visit http://www.mdasummercamplv.com/ to sign up to golf and/or attend the dinner and silent auction.

“We at ITT Interconnect Solutions are honored to again be able to support the MDA and their efforts to improve the lives of children with muscular dystrophy. For us, the benefits of the May fundraiser are two-fold. We are able to support an amazing organization while also enjoying a great day with our co-workers, manufacturer’s reps, and distributors,” said Bill Taylor, President, ITT ICS. “This event is truly one of the highlights of our year, and we invite you to be a part of it.”

Suzy Donns, Director of Business Development-MDA of Southern Nevada, has said, “Our summer camp program has a terrific positive impact for the children who attend. Daily life can be challenging for children with muscular dystrophy, and our program focuses on removing restraints and allowing the campers to be just kids making friends and having fun. It boosts self-confidence and genuinely changes lives.”

One week of summer camp costs $600 per child, so monetary donations are also encouraged. The companies have started a combined collection so that no one individual has to donate the full price of a week in order to help. Starting with as little as just one dollar, supporters can make a difference in the life of a child with muscular dystrophy.

“PEI-Genesis has supported the MDA summer camp for years, but it wasn’t until I actually visited a camp, met the children, and saw the light in their eyes that I truly understood how important the program is. We are honored to do our part for children living with muscular dystrophy, and I hope that others will be moved to get involved as well,” explains Steven Fisher, chairman and CEO, PEI-Genesis.

Pledges are being accepted now; visit http://www.mdasummercamplv.com/ to learn more about the fundraising efforts and do your part to support the MDA.

About MDA

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

MDA combats neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive medical and support services, and far-reaching professional and public health education. With national headquarters in Tucson, MDA has more than 200 offices across the country, sponsors some 200 hospital-affiliated clinics and supports more than 330 research projects around the world.

MDA supports more research on neuromuscular diseases than any other private-sector organization in the world. MDA scientists are in the forefront of gene therapy research and have uncovered the genetic defects responsible for several forms of muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease), childhood spinal muscular atrophy and several other neuromuscular conditions.

The Association's comprehensive services program includes diagnostic and follow-up medical consultations, flu shots, support groups, MDA summer camps for youngsters, a medical equipment program, assistance with equipment repairs and resource referral.

Through its national advocacy program, MDA works to make life better for people with muscular dystrophy and related muscle diseases by providing representation in matters of public policy and research advancement, nationally and internationally; and facilitating active involvement in these areas by the people it serves.

MDA was created in 1950 by a group of adults with muscular dystrophy, parents of children with muscular dystrophy and a physician-scientist studying the disorder.

About ITT Interconnect Solutions

ITT Interconnect Solutions is an international manufacturer and supplier of connectors including circular, rectangular, fiber optic, RF, power and high voltage, audio, PCMCIA, Compact Flash Card, enclosures, cable assemblies, and application specific custom solutions. The Interconnect Solutions portfolio includes the brands Cannon, VEAM, and BIW. For more information on ITT Interconnect Solutions and an archive of its press releases, please visit http://www.ittcannon.com.

About ITT Corporation

ITT is a diversified leading manufacturer of highly engineered critical components and customized technology solutions for growing industrial end-markets in energy infrastructure, electronics, aerospace and transportation. Building on its heritage of innovation, ITT partners with its customers to deliver enduring solutions to the key industries that underpin our modern way of life. Founded in 1920, ITT is headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., with employees in more than 30 countries and sales in a total of approximately 125 countries. The company generated 2011 revenues of $2.1 billion. For more information, visit www.itt.com.

About PEI-GENESIS

PEI-Genesis is one of the world’s fastest assemblers of precision connectors and power supplies. From the largest component inventory, they develop engineered solutions that support the military, industrial, medical, aerospace, transportation, and energy sectors worldwide. PEI-Genesis can build over 12 million unique connectors from stock at a rate of more than 5,000 per hour. Using proprietary automation for speed, consistency, and quality, PEI-Genesis can build just 1 piece or 10,000 pieces with equal ease; built to any standard or customized specification. PEI-Genesis is the only partner that guarantees assembly and shipment of connectors in 48 hours and power supplies in a week. Headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, PEI-Genesis has production facilities in South Bend, IN;Bensalem, PA; and Southampton, UK; as well as 27 sales offices in eight countries. More information can be found at www.peigenesis.com.

About Avnet, Inc.

Avnet, Inc. (NYSE:AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology serving customers in more than 70 countries worldwide. Avnet accelerates its partners' success by connecting the world's leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers by providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal year ended July 2, 2011, Avnet generated revenue of $26.5 billion. For more information, visit www.avnet.com.​