Sharpie Retractable Seeks "Autographs for Education" at the National Sports Collectors Convention
Program asks athletes, celebrities and attendees for their autographs at 26th annual National Sports Collectors
Convention in exchange for school supplies and funding
As autograph seekers gather in Chicago this week for the 26th annual National Sports Collectors Convention,
Sharpie is asking for their autographs. The well-known autograph pen of choice is enlisting the support of
celebrities, professional athletes and their fans to raise one million signatures, resulting in a donation
of $1 million in supplies and funds to schools nationwide.
Individuals at the event, held in the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill. July 27 – 31,
will be asked to sign a giant autograph wall supporting Sharpie’s "Autographs for Education" program.
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 with the help of athletes, celebrities and fans like those
at The National Sports Collectors Convention 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. The Sharpie Autographs
for Education program heads to Canton, Ohio next month working with Dan Dierdorf to kick off the 2005 Pro Football
Hall of Fame celebration. 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 Autographs for Education/Add One
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 is criss-crossing 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. August 27. 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.
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.
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.
Source: The National
Date: July 20, 2005
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