[Kobe] Your Camera Can Bring Smiles to Children's Faces.
Growings Co., Ltd. is hosting a participatory charity event in front of the Daimaru Kobe store, turning unused cameras into support for children. The event, part of the Red Feather Community Chest's "Donation Department Store Project," will use proceeds from camera sales and buy-backs to fund local children's centers. The initiative aims to provide children with creative, hands-on photography experiences while also promoting the recycling of discarded electronics.
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- 📰 Published: April 14, 2026 at 22:30
- 🔍 Collected: April 14, 2026 at 14:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 14, 2026 at 18:36 (4h 34m after Collected)
Growings Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kobe, Hyogo; CEO: Sachiko Haneda) will hold a participatory charity event titled "Your Camera Can Bring Smiles to Children's Faces!" starting Thursday, April 23, 2026, in front of the Daimaru Kobe store. This event combines the reuse of disused cameras with support for children.
This project is implemented as part of the Red Feather Community Chest's "Donation Department Store Project," and the collected donations will be used to create places for local children, including children's cafeterias.
■ Project Background | "Unused Cameras" and "Lack of Hands-On Opportunities"
In recent years, the proliferation of smartphones has reduced the use of digital cameras, leaving many cameras and accessories dormant or discarded in homes.
Meanwhile, it has been pointed out that children have fewer opportunities for creative, sensory experiences, including the "experience of actually touching equipment and taking pictures themselves."
This project was planned as a mechanism to connect these two social issues, transforming "unwanted items" into "future experiential value."
■ Project Features | "Discard, Receive, Experience" - Everything Leads to Support
This event has created a system where various actions by visitors naturally lead to donations and support.
① Charity Sale of "Junk" Cameras
Non-operational or untested cameras will be sold for 500 to 1,000 yen each.
The act of purchasing directly leads to a donation (50% of sales).
② Free Distribution of Camera Accessories
Items like straps and cases will be offered for free.
This system allows people to make a voluntary donation when they "receive" an item.
③ Camera Buy-Back Service
Unwanted cameras and lenses will be appraised and purchased on the spot.
5% of the final purchase price will be donated.
④ Free Camera Rental Experience for Elementary School Students and Younger
Digital cameras will be available for free rental (up to one week).
Children can take them home to enjoy the experience of photography in their daily lives.
Furthermore, the program is designed so that users will not be charged for malfunctions that occur within the scope of normal use.
* Through the experience of holding a camera for the first time, this creates an opportunity for children to cultivate their observation, expression, and creativity.
⑤ Weekend & Holiday Exclusive | Free Balloons for Children
Free balloons will be distributed to elementary school students and younger.
This creates a welcoming atmosphere for families and naturally encourages participation in the event.
■ Donation Mechanism | Emphasizing Transparency and Sustainability
Donations generated from this event will be returned to the community through the Red Feather Community Chest.
Junk Camera Sales: 50% of sales donated
Camera Buy-Backs: 5% of the purchase price donated
Free Distribution: Voluntary donations
The donations will be utilized through the "Donation Department Store Project" to create places for local children, such as children's cafeterias.
The total donation amount and activity results are scheduled to be released after the event concludes.
A memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with the Red Feather Community Chest was held at the Chuo Ward Office in Kobe City.
At the Kobe City Chuo Ward Office
*The signing ceremony for the Donation Department Store Project was held on March 10, 2026.
■ Social Significance of This Project
This project is not just a reuse event but an initiative that simultaneously achieves the following three values:
1. Environmental Value (SDGs)
Contributes to resource circulation and waste reduction by reusing cameras that were destined for disposal.
2. Educational Value
Provides children with the "experience of photography," fostering their creativity and initiative.
3. Community Value
Supports local communities, such as children's cafeterias, through donations.
*The key feature of this project is that it achieves all these aspects within a single event.
■ Event Overview
Event Name: Your Camera Can Bring Smiles to Children's Faces.
Event Period: Thursday, April 23, 2026 - Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Hours: 10:00 - 19:00
Location: "multi-BASE" container house in front of Daimaru Kobe store
Address: 1-7-1 Motomachidori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0021
"multi-BASE" container house in front of Daimaru Kobe store
■ Future Outlook
This project is not intended to be a one-off event; we plan to develop it into a continuous effort with an eye toward expanding to other regions and cities.
In the future, we aim to create a system where even more children can gain hands-on experiences.
■ Company Profile
Company Name: Growings Co., Ltd.
Location: 1-9-1 Sannomiyacho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
Representative: Sachiko Haneda
■ Inquiries Regarding This Matter
Growings Co., Ltd. / Hyakuju no Kaitori-o Cameralion
Contact: Tachibana
TEL: 078-595-9966
Mail: eventcamelion@gmail.com
This project is implemented as part of the Red Feather Community Chest's "Donation Department Store Project," and the collected donations will be used to create places for local children, including children's cafeterias.
■ Project Background | "Unused Cameras" and "Lack of Hands-On Opportunities"
In recent years, the proliferation of smartphones has reduced the use of digital cameras, leaving many cameras and accessories dormant or discarded in homes.
Meanwhile, it has been pointed out that children have fewer opportunities for creative, sensory experiences, including the "experience of actually touching equipment and taking pictures themselves."
This project was planned as a mechanism to connect these two social issues, transforming "unwanted items" into "future experiential value."
■ Project Features | "Discard, Receive, Experience" - Everything Leads to Support
This event has created a system where various actions by visitors naturally lead to donations and support.
① Charity Sale of "Junk" Cameras
Non-operational or untested cameras will be sold for 500 to 1,000 yen each.
The act of purchasing directly leads to a donation (50% of sales).
② Free Distribution of Camera Accessories
Items like straps and cases will be offered for free.
This system allows people to make a voluntary donation when they "receive" an item.
③ Camera Buy-Back Service
Unwanted cameras and lenses will be appraised and purchased on the spot.
5% of the final purchase price will be donated.
④ Free Camera Rental Experience for Elementary School Students and Younger
Digital cameras will be available for free rental (up to one week).
Children can take them home to enjoy the experience of photography in their daily lives.
Furthermore, the program is designed so that users will not be charged for malfunctions that occur within the scope of normal use.
* Through the experience of holding a camera for the first time, this creates an opportunity for children to cultivate their observation, expression, and creativity.
⑤ Weekend & Holiday Exclusive | Free Balloons for Children
Free balloons will be distributed to elementary school students and younger.
This creates a welcoming atmosphere for families and naturally encourages participation in the event.
■ Donation Mechanism | Emphasizing Transparency and Sustainability
Donations generated from this event will be returned to the community through the Red Feather Community Chest.
Junk Camera Sales: 50% of sales donated
Camera Buy-Backs: 5% of the purchase price donated
Free Distribution: Voluntary donations
The donations will be utilized through the "Donation Department Store Project" to create places for local children, such as children's cafeterias.
The total donation amount and activity results are scheduled to be released after the event concludes.
A memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with the Red Feather Community Chest was held at the Chuo Ward Office in Kobe City.
At the Kobe City Chuo Ward Office
*The signing ceremony for the Donation Department Store Project was held on March 10, 2026.
■ Social Significance of This Project
This project is not just a reuse event but an initiative that simultaneously achieves the following three values:
1. Environmental Value (SDGs)
Contributes to resource circulation and waste reduction by reusing cameras that were destined for disposal.
2. Educational Value
Provides children with the "experience of photography," fostering their creativity and initiative.
3. Community Value
Supports local communities, such as children's cafeterias, through donations.
*The key feature of this project is that it achieves all these aspects within a single event.
■ Event Overview
Event Name: Your Camera Can Bring Smiles to Children's Faces.
Event Period: Thursday, April 23, 2026 - Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Hours: 10:00 - 19:00
Location: "multi-BASE" container house in front of Daimaru Kobe store
Address: 1-7-1 Motomachidori, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0021
"multi-BASE" container house in front of Daimaru Kobe store
■ Future Outlook
This project is not intended to be a one-off event; we plan to develop it into a continuous effort with an eye toward expanding to other regions and cities.
In the future, we aim to create a system where even more children can gain hands-on experiences.
■ Company Profile
Company Name: Growings Co., Ltd.
Location: 1-9-1 Sannomiyacho, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
Representative: Sachiko Haneda
■ Inquiries Regarding This Matter
Growings Co., Ltd. / Hyakuju no Kaitori-o Cameralion
Contact: Tachibana
TEL: 078-595-9966
Mail: eventcamelion@gmail.com