Jun 27, 2005
Foundation asking athletes, celebrities and golfers for their autographs
in exchange for school supplies and funding as part of nationwide
program to collect one million autographs
CHICAGO - Signature moves were Walter Payton's calling card. Now,
Walter's brother Eddie Payton and some of football's biggest names are
set to score today in honor of "Sweetness" by making their mark on
education during the foundation's annual golf tournament at Schaumburg
Golf Club. Payton is asking Chicago for their autographs - part of the
nationwide Sharpie Retractable "Autographs for Education" program.
Well-known as the autograph pen of choice, Chicagoland-based Sharpie is
enlisting the support of celebrities and professional athletes to appeal
to people in communities across the country for their signatures.
Sharpie plans to collect one million autographs this year, resulting in
a donation of $1 million in school supplies and funding. Individuals at
the tournament will be asked to sign a giant autograph wall before
hitting the links, supporting Sharpie's yearlong education effort.
Sharpie Looks For The Best Ball
As the Sharpie Retractable "Autographs for Education" tour stops in
Chicago, Payton also invites the event's celebrity golfers and other
participants to put their autograph on education by dressing up their
golf ball using Sharpie Retractable markers. Golfers will be asked to
put a creative design on their golf ball using Sharpie markers. The
competition will be judged by Devin Kenny, 2005 Payton Scholarship
recipient and aspiring artist. In exchange for the most creative design,
Sharpie is donating $1,000 in supplies and $1,000 in funding to Walter
Payton College Prep in the winner's name.
"Walter believed that an education was one of the most critical elements
to be the best you can be," said Payton. "I'm proud to back Sharpie's
dedication to the education and I'm asking people to get involved so
that schools can get the materials and funding they need. It's exciting
to be a part of a program that directly impacts the schools across the
country."
Sharpie is elevating its pledge to the nation's schools throughout 2005,
recognizing essential needs resulting from funding challenges schools
face.
"This year's program is the most comprehensive community effort in the
brand's more than 40-year history," said Rory Leyden, president of
Sharpie. "Although we have executed this program on a local level since
2003, we've broadened its reach this year in terms of the dollar amount
donated and the addition of college scholarships. We're certain we'll
reach the million mark for autographs because of partners like the
Payton Scholarship and Eddie Payton and the support of communities like
Chicago across the country."
The visit to Chicago is the latest stop on a multi-city exhibition tour,
which kicked off in Jacksonville, Fla. and then moved on to Las Vegas,
Baltimore, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, and most recently Milwaukee. This
summer the program will continue to team up with athletes and other
inspiring personalities to celebrate its mid-year milestone of
collecting autographs toward the 2005 one million autograph goal.
Sharpie Retractable's commitment to Autographs for Education also
includes online resources for teachers and fun for students, including
free lesson plans and a virtual autograph wall. In the community,
Sharpie's Autographs for Education tour will criss-cross the country in
a fleet of Sharpie-branded all-terrain vehicles throughout 2005,
stopping at festivals and special events, like the Sharpie 500 Race in
Bristol,Tenn. The vehicles feature interactive games, product sampling
opportunities, and official entry forms for the signature collection
effort. Complete entry methods for the signature collection effort 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 professional touchdown celebration in 2002, the
Sharpie Retractable Autographs for Education program has been bringing
motivation, funds and school supplies to students, teachers and schools
for two years. Since its inception, Sharpie Autographs for Education
personalities have included NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Champion Kurt Busch, NFL
Hall of Famer and broadcaster Howie Long, Baltimore's Brian Roberts, the
PGA TOUR's Chad Campbell, Philadelphia's Terrell Owens, Pittsburgh's
Hines Ward, Green Bay's Donald Driver, Denver's Rod Smith, Kansas City's
Tony Gonzalez, Seattle's Grant Wistrom, Minnesota's Brad Johnson and
Detroit's Jason Hanson, 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 eight colors: black, red, blue, green, orange, berry, lime and
turquoise. The suggested retail price for 2-, 3-, 4-, and 8-packs are
$4.89, $7.33, $9.78, and $19.56, 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®
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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