Call For Entries: Annual Pier 1 Imports®/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest Now Accepting Submissions For 2014 Holiday Season

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Nov 05, 2013, 09:35 ET

U.S. Children Ages 14 and Under Are Invited to Submit Original Artwork By November 25

NEW YORK, Nov. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- From November 2--25, the annual Pier 1 Imports^®/UNICEF Greeting Card Contest invites children in the United States ages 14 and under to submit their original artwork for the chance at becoming the winning artist for the 2014 holiday season. A beloved annual tradition, the design chosen from thousands of entries will be reproduced as an official UNICEF holiday greeting card for 2014, and sold exclusively at Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide and on pier1.com.

"We are incredibly grateful to Pier 1 Imports for their long-term partnership. The annual greeting card contest is a great way to introduce kids to philanthropy while encouraging them to express themselves creatively, and it's rewarding knowing that the sale of these cards help fund life-saving programs for millions of vulnerable children around the world," said Caryl Stern, president and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, and author of the new book I Believe in ZERO: Learning From the World's Children.

The contest theme this year is "A Joyous Celebration." In addition to having his/her design created into a greeting card, the Grand Prize award winner, which will be announced in January 2014, will receive a $5,000 scholarship and $500 for art supplies for his/her school. Visitors to the Pier 1 Imports website, www.pier1.com, can also vote on their favorite design from December 16, 2013 to January 1, 2014 for the sixth annual "U.S. Fan's Choice" award winner. The winner will receive $500 for art supplies.

Entry forms will be available at all Pier 1 Imports stores nationwide beginning November 2 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 25. Children's artwork will be judged on artistic quality and creative interpretation of the theme.

Pier 1 Imports started selling UNICEF greeting cards in 1985 and began the greeting card contest in 1992 as a way to help raise awareness among U.S. school children about UNICEF's important work for children around the world. The contest has inspired kids from coast to coast to use their creative talents in a meaningful way. The long-standing partnership has raised more than $36 million for UNICEF in the U.S. and Canada.

The 2013 line of UNICEF greeting cards is currently available in stores at Pier 1 Imports locations nationwide and on pier1.com.

About UNICEF
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to save and improve children's lives, providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, 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. Together, we are working toward the day when ZERO children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood.

About Pier 1 Imports
Pier 1 Importsis 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