Call for Entries: 21st Annual Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest Is Now Accepting Submissions

U.S. Children Ages 14 and Under Are Invited to Submit Original Artwork for 2012 Theme "Peace on Earth" from October 16 – November 4

NEW YORK, Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the 21st year, the annual Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest invites children in the United States ages 14 and under to submit their original artwork October 16 through November 4 for the chance at becoming the featured artist for the 2012 holiday season. A beloved annual tradition, the winning design chosen from thousands of entries will be reproduced as an official UNICEF holiday greeting card for 2012 to be sold exclusively at Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide.

"I'm thrilled to once again help kick off of our annual greeting card contest with Pier 1," said U.S. Fund for UNICEF President and CEO Caryl Stern. "One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of the cards will go to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and directly impact our mission to help decrease the number of daily preventable childhood deaths from 21,000 to zero."

This year's contest theme is "Peace on Earth." In addition to having their design created into a greeting card, the Grand Prize winner, which will be announced in January 2012, will receive a $5,000 scholarship and $500 worth of art supplies for their school.  Also, 2012 marks the fourth annual "U.S. Fan's Choice Award," in which visitors to the Pier 1 website (www.pier1.com) can vote on their favorite design from November 28 to December 3.  The "Fan's Choice" winner will receive $500 worth of art supplies.  

Entry forms will be available at all Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide beginning October 16 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 4th. Children's artwork will be judged on artistic quality and creative interpretation of the theme "Peace on Earth."

This year's contest marks the 27th year of partnership between the specialty home furnishings retailer and the international children's organization.  The greeting card contest started in 1992 as a way to help raise awareness among U.S. school children about UNICEF's important work for children around the world, and has inspired kids from coast to coast to use their creative talents in a meaningful way.  Pier 1 started selling UNICEF greeting cards in 1985 and has raised more than $32 million for UNICEF in the U.S. and Canada.  

Funds from the sale of cards support UNICEF programs that provide lifesaving medicines, vaccines, nutritious foods, primary education, clean water and sanitation and emergency relief for millions of children and women in more than 150 countries.  The 2011 line of UNICEF greeting cards is currently available in stores at Pier 1 Imports locations nationwide.

About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in more than 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, 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.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress: the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from nearly 13 million in 1990 to 7.6 million in 2010. But still, 21,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for 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 imported decorative home furnishings and gifts.  Information about the Company is available on www.pier1.com.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF