Jo-Ann Stores Stitches Save the Children Contest

Fabric retailer Jo-Ann Stores this month launches a three-year alliance with humanitarian organization Save the Children.

Quilters compete to support Save the Children

The deal includes cause licensing and promotions. Jo-Ann will sell fabrics that use artwork from Save the Children's bi-annual art contest for kids. Through October, Jo-Ann shoppers can donate $1 for Save the Children and get a bookmark.

A nine-month quilting contest asks Jo-Ann customers to design and sew a quilt using the theme "Look into the Eyes of a Child." Entrants must use Save the Children fabrics and a medallion created just for the contest. Jo-Ann sells bundles of fabric and the medallion for $12.99 in its 863 stores in 47 states.

The contest runs Oct. 1 through June 30, 2005; winning quilts will be auctioned off to benefit Save the Children. First prize is a $500 Jo-Ann Stores gift card; second- and third-prize winners get lower-value gift cards, and 10 honorable mentions get a tote bag with quilting items. Jo-Ann Stores handles in-house.

Campbell Associates, Ossining, NY, handles licensing for Westport, CT-based Save the Children. Save the Children has 18 licensees now. It began licensing its name and artwork in 1992. Licensing accounts for less than $4.5 million of Save the Children's $240 million in 2003 revenues.

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