Sep 09, 2003
National Education-based Program Leaves a 'Permanent' Mark on Northwest
Middle School
ST. LOUIS - Sharpie®, the popular brand of permanent markers featured in
a high profile touchdown celebration last year, is making its mark on
education. Now, a national program that combines the popular markers
with NFL players, kids and a fleet of silver all-terrain vehicles is
scoring a touchdown in the Gateway City, as the "Sharpie Metallic
Autographs for Education" program visits a school in St. Louis.
Today at Northwest Middle School, St. Louis Rams defensive end Grant
Wistrom is bringing "AUTOgraphs for Education" to St. Louis youth. The
program, which kicked off earlier this summer in Atlanta with 49ers wide
receiver Terrell Owens, enlists the help of sports figures to deliver
school supplies and raise funds for schools and community education
groups across the country.
During a special school assembly, Wistrom will arrive with a
custom-designed Sharpie Metallic Silver Hummer H2 vehicle, deliver
school supplies and collect student's signatures on an oversized 8-by-10
foot AUTOgraph wall. Sharpie will donate funds to Northwest Middle
School in exchange for the autographs collected in St. Louis, with a
cash donation of $3,000 and a matching donation in school and art
supplies. The program will visit three additional cities across the
country this fall, for a total donation of up to $30,000 in funding and
school supplies.
"The Sharpie Metallic AUTOgraphs for Education program is a great way to
make an impact on kids' lives," said Wistrom. "I'm excited about the
opportunity to ask kids for their autographs, and in exchange, Sharpie
is providing needy schools with the means - and the tools - to give kids
a great learning experience."
"As most St. Louisans are well aware, our schools, much like several
others across the country, are experiencing funding challenges and
feeling the effects of the budget crunch," said Northwest Middle School
Principal Terell Wayne. "Companies like Sharpie are helping to bring
education to the forefront by generously giving money and school
supplies, and having athletes such as Grant Wistrom get our kids excited
about coming to school."
The Sharpie Metallic AUTOgraphs for Education event at Northwest Middle
School is the third local-market event throughout this summer and fall
taking place at six designated community centers and schools across the
United States. The first event kicked off in Atlanta earlier this
summer, followed by a second event in Chicago. After St. Louis, three
additional Sharpie AUTOgraph blitzes will take place in Denver,
Pittsburgh and San Francisco. In each city, local professional sports
figures and celebrities will seek autographs from students, their
teachers, and the media to benefit designated schools and community
education programs.
"Sharpie is thrilled to team up with Grant Wistrom and St. Louis Public
Schools for this worthwhile education program," said Greg Stoner, vice
president and general manager for Sharpie. "Teaming up with a popular
athlete like Grant helps get kids excited about learning, and this
program allows Sharpie to help support local schools in great
communities like St. Louis."
In addition to helping children in local communities, Sharpie Metallic
is also featuring the all-terrain vehicles as part of the "Sharpie H24U
Hummer H2 Giveaway Sweepstakes," in which individuals can enter online
or via mail to win a silver Hummer H2 of their own. Four Sharpie
Metallic Silver H2s will travel the country this summer and fall,
visiting local fairs and festivals in more than 150 cities nationwide,
offering the public a chance to enter the sweepstakes and interactive
displays from Sharpie. For official rules or to enter the sweepstakes,
visit
http://www.sanfordcorp.com/sanford/consumer/h2promo/jhtml/entry_options.jhtml.
Sharpie Metallic is the latest breakthrough product and first metallic
marker from Sharpie, the nearly 40-year-old permanent marker brand.
Perfect for marking on dark surfaces, Sharpie Metallic offers a silver
metallic ink and the permanence and dependability of the
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