Velcro Companies And Sabrina Soto Announce Winner Of Classroom Makeover Contest

Joplin, MO. School to Receive a Redesigned Classroom Featuring VELCRO® Brand Products in Honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week

News provided by

Velcro Companies

May 14, 2015, 09:00 ET

MANCHESTER, N.H., May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Velcro Companies and design and lifestyle expert Sabrina Soto today announced the winner of the first annual VELCRO® Brand Classroom Makeover contest. Sabrina selected Desiree Limkeman from Joplin, MO. to receive a complete classroom makeover and re-design that includes VELCRO® Brand products and other materials to make the classroom a more beautiful, safe, organized and inspiring place for kids to learn and grow.

Desiree Limkeman teaches second grade at College Heights Christian School in Joplin, MO. In 2011, Joplin was devastated by an EF5-grade tornado that destroyed buildings, infrastructure and lives across the Midwestern town. Mrs. Limkeman and her husband, an Iraq-war veteran, were among those left homeless. She turned the situation into a lesson for her classroom, bringing them along the re-build process step by step. Her winning classroom was nominated by a parent.

"I'm thrilled to redesign Mrs. Limkeman's second-grade classroom and create a place where her students can focus on what's most important, learning," said Sabrina Soto, brand ambassador for Velcro Companies. "We received so many inspirational and deserving entries but Mrs. Limkeman's dedication to her students throughout the community's tragic natural disaster completely stood out. It's been several years but the town of Joplin still has a long recovery and we wanted to honor the efforts of someone who continually puts others' needs first."

"Mrs. Limkeman not only inspires our daughter, Hannah, to learn and do her best, she exemplifies a humble nature, and a commitment to going above and beyond for her students," said Eddie Grundy, nominating parent. "She lives these principles inside and out and that is exactly what every parent wants in a role model for their children."

"In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week, we wanted to do something special for our nation's educators and encourage teachers, students and individuals to nominate a teacher who truly deserves a redesigned space," said Julie Barry, Director of Global Brand, Velcro Companies. "Our company is focused on improving education to develop tomorrow's leaders and innovators and this exciting program is part of our work to enhance learning environments here at home and around the globe."

Velcro Companies and Sabrina Soto will showcase the redesigned classroom on www.Velcro.com and via the company's social channels including Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram. For more information on Velcro Companies' education-focused efforts, please visit: http://www.velcro.com/about-us/sustainability.

About Velcro Companies:
Velcro Companies is a technology-driven, global organization providing fastening solutions that solve problems in simple, elegant and surprising ways for businesses and consumers around the world. With more than 50 years of experience, Velcro Companies is proud of its heritage in innovation. They own over 400 active patents and numerous trademarks, including the VELCRO® trademark which is registered throughout the world. It offers global resources for world-class solutions, with manufacturing locations in Spain, the United States, Canada, Mexico, and China and sales offices around the world. Visit Velcro.com to buy our products and find out more, and "Like" VELCRO® Brand on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/velcrobrand for more information.

About Sabrina Soto
Sabrina Soto is one of the world's most sought after design and lifestyle experts and has been featured in Elle Decor, People, Time Magazine, InStyle, Esquire, Variety, Better Homes and Gardens, Latina, USA Today, The New York Post, and has contributed to The Today Show, Rachael Ray and Good Morning America among others. Most recently, Sabrina launched an online lifestyle magazine, CASAandCompany.com, where the Cuban beauty shares her expertise and easy solutions with readers to inspire them to create a life they love. An expert on all things home-related and true to Sabrina's designing operandi, the LEED-accredited designer has enjoyed extensive exposure as host and designer of various HGTV shows such as The High Low Project, Real Estate Intervention and Get It Sold. She's also made guest appearances on White House Christmas, HGTV's Green Home, Bang For Your Buck, House Hunters and Buying & Selling Secrets. Sabrina recently appeared in the hit ABC Special, The Great Halloween Fright Fight and will appear in the upcoming sophomore season of The Great Christmas Light Fight airing this holiday season. What you might not know about Sabrina is that in addition to her innate ability to transform an inexpensive, discarded element into a "wow" piece, Sabrina's range of lifestyle knowledge covers everything from fashion and beauty to relationship advice and cooking. When not working on a project, she treats her friends and family to delicious home cooked meals and entertainment at her loft in West Hollywood, CA.

Check out www.SabrinaSoto.com and CASAandCompany.com for more information.

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140402/CG96556LOGO-b

SOURCE Velcro Companies