Ten-year old Ontario boy wins annual Pier 1 Imports®/UNICEF/Owlkids Greeting Card Contest
Winning child's design inspired by his Algonquin First Nation culture
TORONTO, Jan. 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Ten-year old Giorgio from Ontario is the grand prize winner of the annual Pier 1 Imports®/UNICEF/Owlkids Greeting Card Contest. Giorgio's design will become an official UNICEF greeting card sold exclusively at Pier 1 Imports stores across Canada during the 2016 holiday season. As the winner, he will receive a $5,000 scholarship and his school will receive $500 for art supplies.
Winner inspired by his Algonquin First Nation culture
Pier 1 Imports received more than one thousand creative designs from children across Canada, all uniquely depicting the theme of One World, One Heart. Giorgio's winning design illustrates a vibrant winter scene with a family standing together amidst snow drifts with an igloo in the background. While Giorgio's motivation for entering the contest was to win art supplies for his school, his design was inspired by his Algonquin First Nation culture.
"When I entered the first time in this contest I was very young and remember I drew an angel because they protect children all around the world. Just like UNICEF," said Giorgio. "Now I drew a loving family who are warm even in the arctic. They beat as one heart because they have each other. Now that I am older, I know UNICEF are people who take care and bring hope to the children all around the world like a family who have heart."
Fan's choice winner hails from B.C.
Canadians also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite design. Eleven-year-old Sarah from British Columbia is this year's Fan's Choice Award recipient and winner of $500 for art supplies. Sarah's design depicts a bear offering his heart to a rabbit in a wintery scene. All winners also received an Owlkids prize pack.
"Congratulations to this year's winners! We received an amazing array of designs by young artists from Newfoundland to British Columbia, from Nunavut to Ontario. It is fantastic to see so many Canadian children participating in this long-standing contest and using their creativity to help children around the world. Giorgio's design is a beautiful reflection of his culture and will be a fitting addition to the 2016 holiday cards," said Sharon Avery, UNICEF Canada's Chief Development Officer. "Through this initiative and the generous support from our long-time partner Pier 1 Imports, UNICEF is able to reach, save and help more vulnerable children around the world."
The annual contest was launched in Canada in 2006 to help raise awareness about UNICEF's global work. One hundred per cent of the proceeds from the sale of all UNICEF cards sold at Pier 1 Imports stores across Canada go to support UNICEF's life-saving world for children and families around the world.
To date, the partnership with Pier 1 Imports has raised more than $4.8 million to support children through UNICEF Canada.
To view this year's winning designs, visit www.unicef.ca or www.pier1.ca/unicef.
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, nutrition 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, Inc. is the original global importer of home décor and furniture. 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
Image with caption: "Giorgio, 10, Ontario, Grand Prize Award Winner (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160128_C8512_PHOTO_EN_608176.jpg
Image with caption: "Sarah, 11, British Columbia, Fan’s Choice Award Winner (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160128_C8512_PHOTO_EN_608178.jpg
For interviews or more information, please contact: Tiffany Baggetta, UNICEF Canada, 416-482-6552 ext. 8892, 647-308-4806 (mobile), [email protected]
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