NEW YORK (November 1, 2017) – From November 1–22, 2017, the annual Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest invites children in the United States ages 14 and younger to submit their original artwork for the chance to become the winning artist for the 2018 holiday season. One design, chosen from hundreds of entries, will be reproduced as an official UNICEF holiday greeting card for 2018 and sold exclusively at Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide and on Pier1.com.

“The annual Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest empowers kids to channel their creativity and take action for their peers around the world,” said Caryl M. Stern, president and CEO of UNICEF USA. “Together with our longstanding partner Pier 1 Imports, UNICEF USA looks forward to inspiring kids across the country to put children first this holiday season.”

The contest theme this year is ‘Celebrating Children Around the World.’ In addition to having their design created into a greeting card, the Grand Prize winner, announced in January 2018, will receive a $5,000 scholarship and $500 for art supplies for their school.

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/pier1 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 22, 2017. 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 lifesaving 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 $47.6 million for UNICEF in the U.S. and Canada. 

The 2017 line of UNICEF greeting cards is currently available at Pier 1 Imports store locations nationwide and online at www.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. UNICEF USA 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 a leading retailer of exclusive home décor and furniture.  Information about the company is available on www.pier1.com.

For additional information, please contact:
Sophie Aziakou, UNICEF USA, 917-720-1397, saziakou@unicefusa.org