Sep 15, 2005
Grammy-Winning Country music star joins Sharpie® in the quest for one
million signatures as part of national "Autographs for Education" Program
OAK BROOK, Ill., - September 15, 2005 - Country Music Association and
Grammy award-winning music star Jo Dee Messina turns the table on her
fans today, as she joins Sharpie in a nationwide search for one million
autographs. In a twist on the autograph experience, Messina lends her
signature purple Sharpie Retractable marker to the students at her
former elementary school in Boston, requesting their autographs. In
exchange for the signatures she collects, Sharpie will donate $10,000 in
funding and supplies to the school district, as part of the national
Sharpie Retractable "Autographs for Education" program.
"Growing up in Boston, I benefited from my schools' music education
programs and now I want to give something back - especially as funding
for these programs are often first to get cut," Messina said. "That's
why I'm thrilled to be involved with Sharpie's Autographs for Education
campaign. I use Sharpies every day - a simple click and an autograph
will get us that much closer to the goal which will help provide kids
with the tools they need to succeed."
Messina's visit to her old stomping grounds will benefit music education
budgets for the 2005-2006 school year. Her weekend at home starts early
today at Miller Elementary, where she'll host a special school assembly
and autograph session with more than 600 students and their teachers. On
Saturday, students, teachers, fans and community members will also enjoy
a concert to benefit the school district's music program at Holliston
High School.
"We're thrilled to have Jo Dee back in town and bringing the Sharpie
Autographs for Education program to our school," said David Keim,
principal of Holliston School District's Fred W. Miller Elementary
School. "It's great to know that our hometown heroes want to come back
home again, and brands like Sharpie see the value in giving back to
education. We're grateful for the benefits this donation will bring to
our students and staff."
Messina's Boston visit to her former elementary school marks the eighth
stop on the 10-city "Autographs for Education" tour. Communities
nationwide have a chance to get school supplies for their school, just
by signing their autograph to the program at sharpie.com. The tour's
next stop is Chicago, home of Sharpie markers.
"We've visited some great communities this year," said Rory Leyden,
president of Sharpie. "We're fortunate to have a number of high-profile
personalities like Jo Dee who have put their autograph on education by
motivating the students, faculty and community, and delivering thousands
of dollars worth of school supplies and funds."
Sharpie's "Autographs for Education" tour kicked off earlier this year
in Jacksonville, Fla., and then moved on to Las Vegas, Baltimore,
Bristol, Tenn., Milwaukee, Dallas, Detroit and now Boston. The tour
rounds out the year with Chicago and Miami. Throughout the remainder of
the year, a fleet of Sharpie-branded all-terrain vehicles will continue
to stop at local festivals and special events across the country. The
vehicles feature interactive games, product sampling opportunities, and
official entry forms for the signature collection effort. Complete
sweepstakes rules and entry methods can be found at retailers nationwide
and at www.sharpie.com.
Inspired after a Sharpie marker was featured in a high-profile and
somewhat controversial touchdown celebration in 2002, Sharpie's
Autographs for Education program has been bringing motivation, funds and
school supplies to students, teachers and parents for two years. Since
its inception, Sharpie Autographs for Education personalities have
included NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Champion Kurt Busch, NFL Hall of Famers Howie
Long and Dan Dierdorf, Baltimore's Brian Roberts, PGA TOUR standout Chad
Campbell, Philadelphia's Terrell Owens, Pittsburgh's Hines Ward, Green
Bay's Donald Driver, Denver's Rod Smith, Detroit's Jason Hanson, Kansas
City's Tony Gonzalez, Seattle's Grant Wistrom, and Minnesota's Brad
Johnson, among others.
About Sharpie Retractable
With a retractable writing tip and no caps to lose, Sharpie markers are
now easier and more convenient to use. Sharpie Retractable is available
in twelve colors: black, red, blue, green, orange, berry, lime,
turquoise, aqua, navy, plum and purple. The suggested retail price for
2-, 3-, 4-, 8- and 12-packs are $4.89, $7.33, $9.78, $19.56 and $29.33,
respectively. Available at office supply stores and other retailers
nationwide, Sharpie Retractable joins other significant writing
innovations that target a wide range of enthusiasts from the hobbyist to
the do-it-yourselfer.
About Sanford®, Makers of Sharpie®
For more than 40 years, Sharpie is the popular brand of permanent
markers long-associated with the autograph experience. Sanford, maker of
Sharpie, is a division of Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE: NWL), a
worldwide leader in the manufacturing and marketing of writing
instruments, art products and office organization, including such well
known brands as Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Parker®, Waterman®, EXPO®,
Foohy®, uni-ball®, and Rolodex®, among others. Sanford makes more than
6,000 products, ranging from markers, pens and pencils to professional
art products, fine writing instruments and office organization products.
Visit sharpie.com or sanfordcorp.com for more information.
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