JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST
Sign up to receive email updates about UNICEF’s work for every child. Get a closer look at UNICEF programs in action, hear about emergency response efforts, and learn how you can help children. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Eleven-year-old British Columbia girl wins annual Pier 1 Imports®/UNICEF/Owlkids Greeting Card Contest
Publication Date: 2017/01/25
Winning child’s design inspired by desire for peace
TORONTO, January 25, 2017 – Eleven-year-old Raavin from British Columbia, was named the grand prize winner of the annual Pier 1 Imports/UNICEF/Owlkids Greeting Card Contest. Raavin’s design will become an official UNICEF greeting card sold exclusively at Pier 1 Imports’ stores across Canada during the 2017 holiday season. As the winner, she will receive a $5,000 scholarship and her school will receive $500 for art supplies.
Pier 1 Imports received hundreds of creative designs from children across Canada, all uniquely depicting the theme of Peace, Love and Joy. Raavin’s winning design illustrates a winter scene with a friendly, smiling snowman.
“The idea for my design was based on using calm colours so it looked peaceful. That way, when someone looked at it, they would feel peace,” said Raavin. “Helping children is important to me…If I had one wish for children around the world, it would be that they have food, water and medicine. I also want them to have someone to love and support them. All children in the world should have the opportunity to make their dreams come true no matter where they live.”
When Raavin grows up, she wants to be a pediatrician so she can help children all over the world.
Canadians also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite design. Thirteen-year-old Shiuli from Ontario is this year’s Fan’s Choice Award recipient and winner of $500 for art supplies. Shiuli’s design depicts a tree made up of the words ‘Peace, Love and Joy’ and is surrounded by children of diverse backgrounds.
“I love to draw, and if creating a greeting card design could possibly help someone in need – that’s great! I’d love to make a difference by doing something I love!” said Shiuli. “When customers see my design I hope they think about the unity and diversity in this world. We’re all the same, no matter how different we may seem.”
All winners will also receive an Owlkids prize pack.
“Congratulations to this year’s winners, and to all the children from across the country who took the time to enter this year’s contest. Your passion for art and your commitment to helping other children is admirable, and it’s something all adults could learn from,” said UNICEF Canada Vice President of Development Bonnie Shepherd. “It’s not hard to have hope for the future when you see the next generation of leaders already becoming compassionate activists and humanitarians. We look forward to continue working with Pier 1 Imports, Owlkids and children across Canada to help more vulnerable children survive and thrive.”
The annual contest was launched in Canada in 2006 to help raise awareness about UNICEF’s global work. One hundred per cent of the proceeds from the sale of all UNICEF cards sold at Pier 1 Imports stores across Canada go to support UNICEF’s life-saving work for children and families around the world.
To date, the partnership with Pier 1 Imports has raised more than $5.2 million to support children through UNICEF Canada.
To view this year’s winning designs, visit www.pier1.ca/unicef.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is the world’s leading humanitarian organization focused on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our unrivaled reach spans more than 190 countries and territories, ensuring we are on the ground to help the most disadvantaged children. While part of the UN system, UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations to finance our life-saving work. Please visit unicef.ca and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.