One week left to enter Pier 1 Imports®/UNICEF/Owlkids® Greeting Card Contest

TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian children have one week left to enter this year's Pier 1 Imports^®/UNICEF/Owlkids^® Greeting Card Contest. Under this year's theme "A Holiday of Hope and Joy" children have the opportunity to express their creativity, help provide better futures for children worldwide and have their design featured as UNICEF's official 2013 greeting card.

"Over the years some of the best holiday cards have been designed by incredible youth.  So each year, we are excited to see how these talented young artists will capture the spirit of the season," said Dee Diaz, Director of Corporate Engagement, UNICEF Canada. "We are also pleased to work with our generous partners Pier 1 Imports and Owlkids for another great year. One hundred per cent of the proceeds from the winning greeting card will support UNICEF's life-saving programs for the most vulnerable children in the hardest-to-reach areas."

The winner of this year's contest will be announced in January 2013, will have their original card design turned into a holiday greeting card and will receive a $5,000 scholarship and $500 worth of art supplies for their school.  Visitors to the Pier 1 website www.pier1.ca can also take part by voting for four Fan's Choice Award between December 17, 2012 and January 1, 2013. Winners will receive Owlkids surprise gift packs.

Entry forms are available at all Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide while supplies last or online at www.pier1.ca, www.unicef.ca or www.owlkids.com. All entries must be hand-drawn and received by Pier 1 Imports' Corporate Headquarters by November 21.  Submissions will be judged on artistic quality and creative interpretation of this year's theme.

Samantha Hoogstins of Kamloops, British Columbia was 14 years old when she won last year's prize. Samantha's design of the theme "Peace on Earth" featured two white doves perched on holiday garland creating a heart shape between their bills. Along with having her design turned into an official UNICEF greeting card, sold at Pier 1 Imports stores  this holiday season, Samantha also won a $5,000 scholarship, $500 worth of art supplies for her school and a year subscription to either Chirp, chickaDEE, or OWL magazine.

The Pier 1 Imports^®/UNICEF/Owlkids^® Greeting Card Contest started in 2005 to raise awareness among Canadian school children about UNICEF's important work for children around the world. It has inspired kids from coast to coast to use their creative talents in a meaningful way.  Pier 1 Imports started selling UNICEF greeting cards in North America in 1985 and has raised more than $29 million to date.

Funds from the sale of cards support UNICEF programs that provide lifesaving medicines, vaccines, nutritious foods, primary education, clean water and sanitation as well as emergency relief for millions of children and women in more than 150 countries. For official rules, visit www.pier1.ca

About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, and food security, education, emergency relief and more.

UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive.

For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.ca.

ABOUT PIER 1 IMPORTS
Pier 1 Imports is the original global importer of imported decorative home furnishings and gifts.  Information about the company is available on www.pier1.com.

About Owlkids^®

Owlkids is the English youth division of Bayard Canada. Owlkids publishes entertaining, unique, high quality magazines and books that nurture the potential of children and instill in them a love of reading and learning — about themselves and the world around them.

SOURCE: UNICEF Canada

Melanie Sharpe
UNICEF Canada
416-482-6552 ext. 8892
cell: 416-806-2764
[email protected]