Holiday Cards Help Children Around The World (NAPSA)—Twotalented young artists, whose work celebrates peace and the holiday season, were recently honoredfor their efforts. They were named grand-prize winners from a field of more than 2,000 candidates in the annual Pier 1/UNICEF/Weekly Reader Greeting Card Contest. The themefor this year’s contest for children ages 13 and under was “Holiday Happiness.” The two grand-prize winners’ designs will be reproduced as UNICEFgreeting cards for the 2005 holiday season and sold exclusively at U.S. Pier 1 Imports stores and online at www.pierl.com. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be donated to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to help provide basic education, sanitation, immunization and clean water for children in need in 157 countries worldwide. Twelve-year-old Boulder, Colorado native Anna Hall’s design features the letters P-E-A-C-E, with each brightly colored letter held up by people from different parts of the world. Adam Carr—age 6—from Tampa, Florida, designed a cheerful snowman under colorful Christmaslights, with a boy hugging the snowman’s tummy. In addition to having their winning designs reproduced as greeting cards, both grand-prize winners and their families won a trip to New York City in November that will include a United Nations tour and otheractivities. “These children have a remarkable talent and use it to create a better world,” said Charles J. Lyons, president of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.“Their winning cards will not only provide for necessary rs sR The work of two young artists will adorn greeting cards that may help to improve the lives of children around the world. funding, but will help raise awareness about children who arestill in need around the world.” “Pier 1 started the annual card contest in 1992 so that children in the U.S. could contribute to UNICEF's relief efforts worldwide,” said Marvin J. Girouard, Chairman and CEO of Pier 1 Imports. “I can think of no better way to convey the true meaning of the holiday season than by using a UNICEF card that carries a message of hope for children throughout the world.” “Weekly Reader is proud to be a part of a contest that allows children to express themselves and become empowered to help other children,” said Emily Swenson, President of Weekly Reader. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Pier 1 and UNICEF partnership. In the last two decades, Pier 1 has raised over $21 million for UNICEF. Founded in 1946, UNICEF helps save, protect and improve the lives of children around the world. For more information, please visit www.unicefusa.org or call 1-800-4UNICEF.
