Burger King Runs 'Everyday Heroes' Essay Contest

In honor of Black History Month, Burger King Corp. is sponsoring its Everyday Heroes: The Next Chapter essay writing competition offering top winners a grand prize of $2,000 and coverage in a national magazine.

Print ad promotes Burger King's "Everyday Heroes" essay contest

The contest invites young people 13 to 21 to write an essay of 300 words or less about how they are bettering the African American community. On a separate sheet, participants are asked to describe in 50 words or less how they would use the prize funds.

Participants can enter the contest online at BK.com/blackhistory or via mail. Four grand-prize winners will receive a $2,000 grant and six first-place winners will receive a $1,000 grant both earmarked for educational purposes or to better the community. Each essay will be judged on its creativity and originality, theme appropriateness and sincerity. The contest runs through Feb. 28. Winners will be announced in March.

Sope Aluko, manager, Multi-Cultural Marketing, for Burger King Corp. said what makes the contest particularly unique is the company's effort to reach out to young people.

"We have so many young, talented individuals who are doing so much in the community," Aluko said. "We want to reach out directly and connect to our consumers."

Burger King Corp.'s message to its target audience is "we salute you," Aluko added. "You are a hero in our lives."

In addition to the contest, Burger King will invite high school seniors and juniors in select markets to "Yes, You Can..." forums designed to motivate, empower and inspire students Feb. 1 through Feb. 28. Local radio personalities will host the interactive forums, which will feature other community role models and leaders.

Burger King Corp. also plans to distribute "Know Your History/Write Your Future" fact cards that highlight past and present African-American accomplishments to high school students who attend the forums and to company employees.

The essay-writing contest is part of an effort to demonstrate Burger King's commitment to the African American community. This is the fourth consecutive year the company is sponsoring the program. Past "Everyday Heroes" consisted of a U.S. marine general, firefighters who saved lives in the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attack, a teen magazine publisher, child advocates, a chess grandmaster and CEO of one of the nation's largest minority-owned franchise groups.

Internet materials, in-store signage and P-O-P support. DL Blair, New York handles the contest.

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