Something New...
Mood:  a-ok

I mentioned awhile back that I have been working on "a secret project". Well... it's not really done, but it is time to share. Quills for the Cure

Today, the following press release (without the cool artwork, of course) went out today to all Puget Sound area media outlets...

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MCBRIDE’S CARDS & GIFTS, INC -- 05-APRIL-2006
MCBRIDE’S HALLMARK STORES CELEBRATES WOMEN IN FICTION & FACT

Puget Sound area writers of feminine fiction have a new outlet for their creativity, while at the same time raising money for an important cause. McBride’s Hallmark stores of Silverdale, WA is proud to announce the creation of “Quills for the Cure” a short story contest designed to celebrate the creativity of area women and raise money for the Susan G. Komen Foundation Puget Sound Race for the Cure (Formerly known as “Seattle Race for the Cure”).

The short story contest will kick-off April 27, 2006 at the Kitsap Mall McBride’s Hallmark Gold Crown store as part of their annual spring “Girl’s Night Out” Event 5 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Submissions must deal with the topic “A Survivor’s Tale” and be 2,500 words or less. Entries will be accepted through June 30th at all McBride’s Hallmark locations or by mail at:

McBride’s Hallmark
ATTN: Quills for the Cure
PO Box 1128
Silverdale, WA 98383

Email entries are not being accepted at this time. Each entry must be accompanied by a $10.00 entry fee (Cheque or money order) made payable to the Susan G Komen Foundation and an entry form available online at http://leakytankard.googlepages.com/quillsforthecure. Complete rules and details are available at the website. One grand prize will be awarded in the amount of $100.00.

We are currently recruiting judges for the panel.

McBride’s Hallmark has been a sponsor of the area chapter of the Susan G Komen Foundation and the Race for the Cure since 1998 and has helped raise over $70,000.00 for the cause through sales of teeshirts and other Komen-related product, soliciting donations in their stores and personal fundraising efforts of their employees.

Though the short story kickoff will take place at the Kitsap Mall location, the April 27th event will take place simultaneously in all seven of the McBride’s chain of stores, ranging from Anacortes to Tacoma. A 20% discount will be offered that night, with the option for customers to donate their discount to Komen, as well as a gift package for the first 50 donors over the $10.00 level. Quilters will also be in the Kitsap Mall store to gather squares for a Breast Cancer quilt to be sold in a silent auction at the Kitsap Mall’s popular Girl’s Night Out event on September 22, 2006.

The Susan G. Komen foundation is dedicated to the eradication of Breast Cancer as a fatal illness. The charity has over 100 affiliates across the US and abroad, funded primarily by local fundraising events like Komen Race for the Cure?. The Susan G Komen Race for the Cure is the largest series of 5k runs/fitness walks in the world, with over one million participants. The 2006 event will be the 23rd in the series. Further information on Susan G Komen and their mission is available at www.komen.org.

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I'm really excited about this. Essentially, I got to thinking about the short story contest in which I just placed 18th out of 10,000. I started to multiply the entry fees by the number of entrants and when my boss said 'think outside the box' for new ways to raise money for Komen this year... I was already there.

As the press release says, I'm recruiting judges. Check out the website. Read the FAQ. Then if you are still interested in helping me slog through the entries contact me at my regular email address.

Cheers everyone!
Scott