Sep 16, 2003
National "AUTOgraphs for Education" Program Leaves a 'Permanent' Mark on
Centennial Elementary School
Sharpie®, the popular brand of permanent markers recently featured in a
famous touchdown celebration, 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
Denver area, as the "Sharpie Metallic Autographs for Education" program
visits a school in Denver.
Today at Centennial Elementary School, Denver Broncos wide receiver Rod
Smith is bringing the "AUTOgraphs for Education" program to Denver’s
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, Smith will arrive with a
custom-designed Sharpie Metallic Silver Hummer H2 vehicle, deliver
school supplies and collect student's signatures on oversized 8-by-10
foot AUTOgraph wall. Sharpie will donate funds to Centennial Elementary
School in exchange for the autographs collected in Denver, with a cash
donation of $3,000 and a matching donation in school and art supplies.
The national program will visit two additional cities across the country
this fall, for a total donation of $30,000 in cash and school supplies.
"Sharpie is really working to make a difference in education for kids
with the Sharpie Metallic AUTOgraphs for Education program," said Smith.
"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to ask kids for their autographs,
visit their school and get the kids excited about learning."
"Denver Public Schools is excited to participate in this great program.
Our schools, like numerous others across the country, know firsthand
about funding challenges in the system," said Centennial Elementary
School Principal Gail Paige-Archambeau. "Companies like Sharpie are
helping to bring education to the forefront by generously giving money
and school supplies, and athletes like Rod really help to get kids
excited about learning and being involved at school."
The Sharpie Metallic AUTOgraphs for Education event at Centennial
Elementary School is the fourth local-market event this summer and fall
taking place among six schools and community centers across the United
States. The first event kicked off in Atlanta earlier this summer,
followed by events in Chicago and St. Louis. After Denver, two
additional Sharpie AUTOgraph blitzes will take place in Pittsburgh and
San Francisco. In each city, local professional sports figures will seek
autographs from students and their teachers, to benefit the individual
schools and community education programs.
"Sharpie is thrilled to team up with Rod Smith and Denver Public Schools
for this worthwhile education program," said Greg Stoner, vice president
and general manager for Sharpie. "Teaming up with an athlete of Rod's
caliber helps get kids excited about education, and this program allows
Sharpie to help support local schools in great communities like Denver."
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 worlds most
popular family of permanent markers.
About Denver Public Schools
With 148 schools and 4,500 teachers, DPS is Colorado's second largest
school district and the only urban school district in the state. The
district's goals are setting high expectations, improving the
performance of all students and closing the gap between better and
poorer performing students. For more information, contact the Public
Information Office at 303.764.3414
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