Second Annual Matchbox USA Contest
29 June 1998
Could Your Town Use $25,000? How Would the Name of Your Town Look On a Series of Matchbox Cars?
MT. LAUREL, N.J.--June 29, 1998--Does your school need a new playground? Does your fire department need new equipment? Does your library need new books? If so, then be sure to enter the Second Annual "Matchbox USA Contest." A Grand Prize of $25,000 will be awarded to one lucky town to be used toward a program that will benefit the entire community, and the town's name will appear on a collection of Matchbox cars. In addition, community programs in ten Second Place winning towns will each be awarded $1,000."The 'Matchbox USA Contest' is a terrific opportunity for a classroom or Girl Scout troop to really give something great to their community, whether it's new playground equipment or new facilities for the youth center," says Gene Murtha, Vice President of Marketing for Matchbox. "It will also be a lot of fun for kids to see their town's name on Matchbox cars across the country."
This past year, Ridge, New York was the envy of every kid on the block as the honorary title "Matchbox USA" was bestowed upon the town. Essays and pictures submitted by second graders at the Ridge Elementary School so impressed the judges that the town was awarded the $25,000 Grand Prize. As outlined in the winning essays, the prize money was used to build a much-needed new playground at the school.
The "Matchbox USA Contest" is sponsored by Matchbox Toys (USA) Ltd., a subsidiary of Mattel. The contest invites individual kids, classrooms and groups of kids across the country to write a 50-word or less essay and/or draw a picture depicting why their town should be chosen as "Matchbox USA" and what their town would do with the prize money. Essays will be judged on originality and civic need. Kids can get an official entry form and a list of rules and prizes on the Matchbox Web Site at http://www.matchboxtoys.com or by calling 1-800-524-TOYS.
All kids 14 and under that are residents of the United States, and are not affiliated with Mattel, Inc. or its subsidiaries, are eligible to enter the "Matchbox USA Contest." Children entering the contest must fill out an official entry form, including their name, address, age, telephone number and parent's or guardian's signature (in the case of a school or group, a teacher or advisor's signature is required), along with their 50-word or less essay and/or picture on why their city, town or village should be chosen as "Matchbox USA" and what would be done with the prize money.
Entry forms will be accepted by mail postmarked no later than January 1, 1999. Winners will be notified by mail by March 1,1999. Only one entry per child or group is allowed. No purchase is necessary to enter.
One Grand Prize Winning city, town or village will be named "Matchbox USA" and, as part of the prize, its name will appear on a collection of 1999 Matchbox diecast cars, including a police car, school bus, ambulance, fire truck and sanitation truck, which will be available in stores across the country. The Grand Prize Winning city, town or village will also be awarded $25,000 for use toward the civic program outlined in the winning essay and its mayor or governing body will be presented with a plaque at a ceremony given by Matchbox in 1999. The town will also be presented with a "Welcome to Matchbox Street Sign" for display on town property. The classroom or group responsible for the wining essay will receive $500 worth of Matchbox toys. If a single individual is responsible for the winning essay, he or she will receive $250 worth of Matchbox toys.
Designated civic organizations in ten Second Place Winning cities, towns or villages will each receive $1,000 for use toward the civic program outlined in the winning essay. Each town and its mayor or governing body will also receive a plaque and Welcome sign. The 10 children, classrooms or groups responsible for the winning essays will each receive $100 worth of Matchbox toys.
