U.S. Fund for UNICEF announces winners of 2009 Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest
Holiday card design and first-ever “People’s Choice Award” selected
NEW YORK, NY (May 15, 2009) — The U.S. Fund for UNICEF announced today the winners of the 2009 Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest. Julie Hermann, age 13, from Solana Beach, California received the grand prize award for her artwork, which will be reproduced as an official UNICEF greeting card. The greeting card will be sold exclusively at Pier 1 Imports stores in the U.S. during the 2009 holiday season. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of all UNICEF cards sold at Pier 1 will go to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. Joe Peterson, age 13, from Lykens, Pennsylvania received the first-ever “People’s Choice Award” this year.
Julie’s design features the world globe decorated in colorful holiday lights with Santa Claus and his sleigh propped on top. Along with the honor of having her design turned into a greeting card, Julie will receive a grand prize $5,000 scholarship, along with $500 worth of art supplies for her school.
“Both children are remarkable and talented individuals who are passionate about raising awareness and funds for UNICEF,” said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “The artwork produced will not only provide necessary funding, but will help us in our efforts to bring the number of children who die each day from preventable causes, from the 25,000 it is today, to 0.”
New this year is the “People’s Choice Award,” in which visitors to the Pier 1 website (pier1.com) voted for their favorite design from 10 semi-finalists chosen by Pier 1. Joe won this first-ever award for his artwork featuring a white dove holding a red ribbon inscribed with “Joy to the World.” As the “People’s Choice Award” winner, Joe will receive $500 worth of art supplies to help further his career as a budding artist.
“We look forward to this special program every year with UNICEF. Each year, we receive thousands of creative drawings from students that want to contribute to UNICEF’s mission” said Kelly Keenum, Public Relations Manager of Pier 1 Imports. “The contest started as a way to help raise awareness among U.S. school children about UNICEF’s important work and has inspired kids from coast to coast to use their creative talents in a meaningful way.”
Funds from the sale of the cards support UNICEF programs that provide lifesaving medicines, vaccines, nutritious foods, primary education, clean water and sanitation and emergency relief for millions of children and women in more than 150 countries.
This year’s contest marks 24 years of a partnership between the specialty home furnishings retailer and the international children’s organization. Pier 1 started selling UNICEF greeting cards in 1985 and is now the world’s largest retailer of UNICEF greeting cards, having raised over $26 million for UNICEF.
About UNICEF
For more than 60 years, UNICEF has been the world’s leading international children’s organization, working in over 150 countries to address the ongoing problems that contribute to child mortality. 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 the original global importer and is North America’s largest specialty retailer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts. Information about the Company is available on pier1.com.
For more information, please contact:
Marci Greenberg, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212.922.2464, mgreenberg@unicefusa.org
