CALL FOR ENTRIES: ANNUAL PIER 1 IMPORTS®/UNICEF GREETING CARD CONTEST NOW ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR 2016 HOLIDAY SEASON
U.S. Children Ages 14 and Under Are Invited to Submit Original Artwork by November 25, 2015
NEW YORK, NY (November 4, 2015) – From November 1–25, 2015, the annual Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest invites children in the United States ages 14 and under to submit their original artwork for the chance at becoming the winning artist for the 2016 holiday season. A beloved annual tradition, the design chosen from thousands of entries will be reproduced as an official UNICEF holiday greeting card for 2016 and sold exclusively at Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide and on Pier1.com.
“The annual Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF contest allows children to explore their creativity while introducing them to global citizenship and showing them that they can really make a difference for children in need around the world,” said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “As we enter the season of giving thanks, we’re very grateful to Pier 1 Imports’ longstanding commitment to our work that helps us put children first.”
The contest theme this year is “One World, One Heart.” In addition to having his/her design created into a greeting card, the Grand Prize award winner, announced in January 2016, will receive a $5,000 scholarship and $500 for art supplies for his/her school. Visitors to the Pier 1 Imports website, www.pier1.com, can also vote on their favorite design from December 15 to December 31, 2015 for the annual “Fan’s Choice” award winner. The “Fan’s Choice” winner will receive $500 for art supplies.
Entry forms are now available at all Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide while supplies last, online at www.pier1.com/unicef and www.unicefusa.org or by calling Pier 1 Imports’ Customer Relations Department at 1-800-245-4595. All entries must be hand-drawn and received by Pier 1 Imports’ Corporate Headquarters by November 25, 2015. Children’s artwork will be judged on artistic quality and creative interpretation of the theme.
Pier 1 Imports started selling UNICEF greeting cards in 1985 and began the greeting card contest in 1992 as a way to help raise awareness among U.S. school children about UNICEF’s important work for children around the world. The contest has inspired kids from coast to coast to use their creative talents in a meaningful way. The long-standing partnership has raised more than $42 million for UNICEF in the U.S. and Canada.
The 2015 line of UNICEF greeting cards is currently available at Pier 1 Imports store locations nationwide and on Pier1.com.
About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.
About Pier 1 Imports
Pier 1 Imports is the original global importer of home décor and furniture. Information about the company is available on www.pier1.com.
For additional information, please contact:
Lauren Weybrew, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, (212) 922-2503, lweybrew@unicefusa.org