Fujifilm employees donated $7,500 to the Westchester Parks Foundation during a volunteer day Thursday, Oct. 1, at Cranberry Lake Preserve. Workers built benches, pulled invasive plants and checked on young trees across the 190-acre site near Harrison.

The event marked the 26th year of the company's support for the foundation, which partners with Westchester County to maintain more than 50 parks spanning 18,000 acres. Fujifilm has kept its North America headquarters in Westchester County since 1986, first in its current home in Valhalla.

Kenya Nakashima, president of Fujifilm Holdings America Corporation, and Ryuichi "Richie" Matoba, president and CEO of Fujifilm North America Corporation, presented the check at the preserve, as first reported by Patch. Nakashima said the company takes pride in its long support for open spaces and the foundation, calling the volunteer work part of putting Fujifilm's mission "into action."

Westchester County Deputy County Executive Joan McDonald, Parks Commissioner William Bland and Christine LaPorta, deputy director of the Westchester Parks Foundation, joined the executives for the presentation.

Volunteers tackled several projects. They performed trail maintenance, removed invasive species and inspected native tree plantings tied to a multi-year reforestation effort at the preserve. A crew also built new benches around the nature center's educational firepit area, adding seating for the environmental programs the center runs on weekends.

"Since 1986, Westchester County has been home to our North America headquarters, and we're honored to partner with organizations that help create lasting benefits for our neighbors," Matoba said at the preserve.

The $7,500 will support the foundation's work across the county park system. The nonprofit, founded in 1977, is the primary nonpartisan partner of Westchester County Parks.

Cranberry Lake Preserve sits at 1609 Old Orchard St. in North White Plains. The park has sheltered migratory birds, turtles and dragonflies since 1967, with habitats ranging from a four-acre lake to mixed hardwood forest, vernal pools and a swamp. Trails are open daily, 8 a.m. to dusk. No parking fees.

Residents interested in future volunteer opportunities can visit thewpf.org.