Showcase your creativity to win a $5,000 scholarship while supporting UNICEF's global work for children

Enter the annual Pier 1 Imports®/UNICEF/Owlkids Greeting Card Contest by November 23 for your chance to win

TORONTO, Nov. 1, 2016 /CNW/ - Canadian children ages 14 or younger are invited to enter the annual Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF/Owlkids Greeting Card Contest to benefit children worldwide. From November 1 through 23, 2016, budding artists are invited to submit their entries illustrating this year's theme, Peace, Love and Joy, for their chance to win a $5,000 scholarship, $500 for art supplies for their school and have their design featured as an official UNICEF holiday greeting card sold exclusively at Pier 1 Imports stores across Canada during the 2017 holiday season. All proceeds from UNICEF card sales at Pier 1 Imports go directly to supporting UNICEF's life-saving work for children around the world.

"There is nothing greater than seeing kids helping other kids and that's exactly what this contest is about," said Bonnie Shepherd, Vice President of Development at UNICEF Canada. "Canadian children have the opportunity to use their talent and creativity to provide children less fortunate than themselves with hope for a brighter future."

About the contest
The Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF/Owlkids Greeting Card Contest started in Canada in 2005 to raise awareness among Canadian school children about UNICEF's work to reach the hardest to reach children around the world. It has inspired kids from across the country to use their artistic talents in a meaningful way. Pier 1 Imports started selling UNICEF greeting cards in North America in 1985 and has raised more than $45 million in the U.S. and Canada.

Funds from the sale of cards support UNICEF programs which provide healthcare, immunizations, clean water, nutrition, food security, education and emergency relief to millions of children and families worldwide.

How to enter and win
Entry forms are available at all Pier 1 Imports stores in Canada while supplies last or online at pier1.ca/unicef, unicef.ca or owlkids.com. All entries must be hand-drawn and received by Pier 1 Imports Canadian Headquarters by November 23, 2016. Submissions will be judged on artistic quality and creative interpretation of this year's theme, Peace, Love and Joy. To be eligible, participants must be 14 years or younger as of November 23, 2016.

Visitors to the Pier 1 Imports website, pier1.ca, can also take part by voting for the Fan's Choice Award between December 13, 2016 and January 2, 2017. The Fan's Choice winner will receive $500 for art supplies. Winners will also receive an Owlkids surprise gift pack. The winners of both the Grand Prize award and the Fan's Choice award in this year's contest will be announced in January 2017.   

For official rules, visit pier1.ca/unicef.

Last year's winner
Ten-year-old Giorgio Manasseri from Ontario was the contest winner in 2015 – chosen from more than one thousand entries – for his interpretation of the theme. As the grand prize winner, Giorgio's card design has been turned into this season's official UNICEF greeting card now available at Pier 1 Imports stores across Canada. Giorgio also won a $5,000 scholarship and $500 for art supplies for his school.

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.

SOURCE UNICEF Canada

Image with caption: "Showcase your creativity to win a $5,000 scholarship while supporting UNICEF's global work for children (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161101_C5627_PHOTO_EN_807212.jpg

To arrange interviews or for more information please contact: Stefanie Carmichael, UNICEF Canada, 416-482-6552 ext. 8866; 437-345-6324 (mobile), [email protected]