FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHILDREN'S ART TURNED INTO OFFICIAL UNICEF GREETING CARDS TO BENEFIT CHILDREN WORLDWIDE
Two Winners Selected from Thousands of Entries in 2007
Pier 1/UNICEF/Weekly Reader Greeting Card Contest
NEW YORK, JUNE 6, 2007—Thousands of children from around the country submitted drawings interpreting the theme “holiday happiness” for the 2007 Pier 1/UNICEF/Weekly Reader Greeting Card Contest. Two winners were selected based on their interpretation of the theme through design, color and expression, and their artwork will be produced as official UNICEF Greeting Cards sold exclusively at Pier 1 Imports stores during the 2007 holiday season. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of these cards will go to UNICEF to benefit children around the world.
One of the winners, Josephine Kao (age 11) from Roseville, California designed colorful candy canes striped with flags from around the world. The other winner, Karen Hong (age 13), from Simi Valley, California, composed a drawing of a bright holiday ornament featuring a colorful bow and a heart sporting a Santa Claus hat.
“These children have a remarkable talent and use it to help create a better world,” said Caryl M. Stern, president of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “Their winning cards will provide necessary funding and help make a critical difference in the lives of millions of children worldwide.”
Through the years, the greeting card contest has turned into a family tradition. As part of the annual grand-prize, both families also win a trip to New York City in November--which includes a tour of the United Nations, attending a Broadway show and other exciting New York activities.
“Since 1991, this card contest has been a great way for children across the country to contribute to UNICEF’s global relief efforts,” said Alex Smith, president and CEO of Pier 1. “On behalf of our entire organization, I would like to congratulate this year’s card contest winners.”
Pier 1 started selling UNICEF greeting cards in 1985 and is now the world’s largest retailer of UNICEF greeting cards, having raised over $25 million for UNICEF. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of all UNICEF cards sold at Pier 1 go to UNICEF to support programs that provide lifesaving medicines, vaccines, nutritious foods, primary education, clean water and sanitation and emergency relief for millions of children and women in 158 countries and territories.
In 2004, Weekly Reader, a leader in educational publishing, became a contest sponsor as a way to encourage their 11 million readers—predominantly teachers, parents and children—to participate in the greeting card contest and learn more about UNICEF.
ABOUT UNICEF
For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world’s leading international children’s organization, working in 156 countries to address the ongoing issues that affect why kids are dying. UNICEF provides lifesaving nutrition, clean water, education, protection and emergency response saving more young lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. While millions of children die every year of preventable causes like dehydration, upper respiratory infections and measles, UNICEF, with the support of partnering organizations and donors alike, has the global experience, resources and reach to give children the best hope of survival. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicefusa.org.
ABOUT PIER 1 IMPORTS
Pier 1 Imports, Inc. is North America's largest specialty retailer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts with Pier 1 Imports® stores in 49 states, Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico; and Pier 1 Kids® stores. For Pier 1 store locations visit www.pier1.com or call 1-800-245-4595.
ABOUT WEEKLY READER
Weekly Reader Periodicals is part of the Weekly Reader Publishing Group (WRPG), a leader in educational publishing. Created in 1902, Weekly Reader publishes 15 magazines for students in every grade from preschool through high school, in both print and electronic formats. Weekly Reader magazines have been recognized for their engaging content and proven effectiveness in improving student performance. Every one of the magazines has won awards for excellence in educational journalism. Weekly Reader currently serves approximately nine million students and 250,000 teachers nationwide. Weekly Reader Publishing Group is part of the Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. For more information about Weekly Reader, visit www.weeklyreader.com
CONTACT:
Misty Otto
Pier 1 Imports
(817) 252-8514
mbotto@pier1.com