Miscellaneous Mentionables

I frequently receive email from companies asking me to share news or discounts with my readers. Each week I’ll gather the best requests and share them with you here.

NEW WEST KNIFEWORKS

Our new steak knife design is just getting its finishing touches. To make room for its arrival next month, we are having a fire sale on our remaining inventory of Fusionwood steak knives and Gentleman Rancher steak knives. I’m putting the old steak knives on sale for 40% off. Bear in mind there’s a limited supply left- when they’re gone, they’ll be gone forever. So, if you want to complete your set or grab a new one at this great price, now’s the time. There’s no discount code needed on this one, I’ve just slashed the price on the site.

BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

U.S. schools ended a record-breaking 2008-2009 year by redeeming a staggering $50.6 million in Box Tops coupons, an increase of 19 percent from last school year. The achievement gives school supporters 300 million reasons to celebrate as Box Tops for Education announced today that parents, teachers and community members have reached a new milestone, earning $300 million to support education since the popular fundraising program’s launch in 1996. The cash earned through the program helps fill gaps in school budgets, funding essential items such as computers, books, supplies and uniforms.

“By doing simple, everyday activities like grocery shopping, dedicated school supporters feel good about making a significant difference in America’s classrooms – to the tune of three billion Box Tops coupons,” said Brian Peters, director of Box Tops for Education. “As more consumers watch their dollars, Box Tops for Education is helping parents support their child’s education without spending extra money.”
School earnings through Box Tops for Education reached a school-year high of $50.6 million as schools clipped more Box Tops coupons and 3,400 new schools participated in the program. In the 2008-2009 school year, each of the more than 69,000 participating K-8 schools earned an average of approximately $733, up from last year’s average of roughly $614.

School supporters can clip Box Tops coupons, valued at 10 cents, from hundreds of General Mills, SC Johnson, Kimberly-Clark, Pactiv, Nestle, and Avery Dennison products, including Cheerios®, Pillsbury®, Yoplait®, Ziploc®, Kleenex®, Huggies®, Hefty®, Juicy Juice®, Hi-Liter®, and more. Consumers can earn more cash by shopping online at major retailers such as Target, Best Buy, JCPenney and Barnes & Noble through the Box Tops MarketplaceSM and Reading RoomSM, where a percentage of qualifying purchases is donated back to their school. Through Box Tops for Education, schools can earn up to $60,000 each year, or up to $20,000 from each of the three program components. Additionally, Box Tops runs various promotions, including sweepstakes, contests, Bonus Box Tops offers and more.

Find out how much your school has earned and sign up to support your school today at www.btfe.com. You can also print coupons for Box Tops products, discover new recipes, read parenting articles and join discussions in the Parenting Community forum.

AVERY DENNISON JOINS BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION

Avery Dennison Office Products today announced its participation in Box Tops for Education®, a program that helps consumers raise valuable and necessary funds for participating schools. Beginning in June, more than 600 specially marked Avery brand school and office supply products, such as labels, binders, dividers, highlighters, glue sticks and more, will carry Box Tops coupons. These coupons can be clipped and submitted to participating schools, then redeemed for cash.

The cash earned by schools through the program can be used in many ways, such as helping to rebuild playgrounds, funding under-budgeted programs, or purchasing classroom equipment, library books, computers and other much-needed supplies.
“Avery Dennison is in the business of developing products that make people’s lives simpler, easier and better-organized, for students and professionals alike,” said Jeff deLeon, group product manager, Avery Dennison Office Products. “We are constantly striving to identify ways we can add value to our products. Partnering with Box Tops for Education not only accomplishes this, but it is also a natural extension of our Company’s value of supporting the community. We want to provide parents with an easy way to raise money for their children’s schools while purchasing their office and school supplies.”
Specific Avery products featured in the program include Avery® Durable and Heavy Duty binders, Index Maker® dividers, Avery® sheet protectors, address and shipping labels, Hi-Liter® highlighters, Marks-A-Lot® dry erase and permanent markers, Avery® glue sticks, name badges, and T-shirt transfers. For more information, visit www.avery.com/btfe and www.btfe.com.

NBC’s “Days of our Lives” Donates Maternity Clothes to InStyleBelly

Soap opera fans will now be able to connect with their favorite “Days of our Lives” stars and contribute to a deserving charity. The Emmy Award-winning show has donated pre-loved and gently-used maternity wear for their fans and soon-to-be moms. Worn by some of the show’s most recognized characters including “Sami Brady,” portrayed by actress Alison Sweeney, all items will be available for purchase exclusively at InStyleBelly.com, an online maternity consignment boutique for stylish women. Proceeds from the “Days of our Lives” maternity clothing will be given to Autism Speaks, an advocacy organization that sponsors autism research and awareness.

”If you’re a fan of the show or just want to buy some great maternity clothing and help raise money for a good cause, this is a great opportunity,” says Krista Karo, a mother, a long-time “Days of our Lives” fan and founder of InStyleBelly. “We’re thrilled to receive such beautiful and chic maternity fashions by some of today’s most sought after designer brands including Diane von Furstenberg and 7 For All Mankind; as well as items from specialty retailers such as Pea in the Pod and bebe. The donated clothing from “Days of our Lives” complements InStyleBelly’s current collection of affordable and stylish maternity wear.”

“We are excited to be teaming up with InStyleBelly to give our loyal viewers a chance to own a piece of their favorite soap star’s wardrobe and help support a wonderful organization,” says Sarah Griffin. “The show’s fan base is made up of a diverse audience, including expecting moms. We believe our viewers and InStyleBelly’s customers are alike in many ways. They are savvy to today’s fashion trends and at the same time, price-conscious of their budgets. InStyleBelly is the perfect destination for women looking for stylish and affordable maternity clothes.”

SKIL and Lowe’s Partner for Building Memories Contest

Make this Father’s Day special by spending a lot of time with Dad instead of a lot of money. SKIL Power Tools and LOWE’S Home Improvement are offering inexpensive projects designed to provide hours of priceless memories for kids and dads alike. In addition, you can take advantage of the opportunity to enter your family fun project into the SKIL Building Memories Contest for a chance to win one of more than a hundred different prizes.

Kids and moms can surprise dad by choosing one of four project plans and getting all the materials they need at participating LOWE’s locations. The project plans are available both in LOWE’s stores and at www.SKILBuildingMemories.com, along with a complete list of materials and tools they will need. Then, all you need to do is capture the building and bonding process with video or photos and enter your completed project for a chance to win. Plans range in difficulty level and are appropriate for children ages 4 and up. Entries will be judged based on the quality of the completed project shown. The top entry for each project plan will be awarded an all-expenses paid trip for four to a Worlds of Discovery park of their choice. Worlds of Discovery Parks to include, SeaWorld Orlando, SeaWorld San Diego, SeaWorld San Antonio, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Discovery Cove, Aquatica, Sesame Place, Adventure Island and Water Country USA. Prize package includes hotel accommodations, roundtrip airfare and more.

Just in time for Father’s Day, the contest kicks off May 11 and ends July 10. Eight second-place winners will each receive a SKIL Benchtop Workshop including a table saw, miter saw, drill press, grinder and band saw; 20 third-place winners will receive a SKIL 18V Lithium Ion Combo Kit; and 100 fourth-place winners will receive a SKIL Power Wrench. Winners will be notified by mail on or about September 1, 2009.
For official Building Memories contest rules and for additional information visit www.SKILBuildingmemories.com.

WE tv – RAISING SEXTUPLETS

WE tv has a new show, Raising Sextuplets, premiers Thursday 06/11/09 at 10pm ET. Raising Sextuplets follows Jenny and Bryan Masche as they raise six two-year olds in America. The six part series spun out of WE tv’s special on the family and covers half a year of the Masches’ hectic life.

Tags: Avery Dennison, Box Tops For Education, Days Of Our Lives, InStyleBelly, Lowe's, New West Knifeworks, SKIL, WeTV

Category: Announcements