By Staff
DeWITT – A longtime lunchbox staple, Michigan apples are moving beyond the school cafeteria thanks in part to a sweepstakes offer that provides schools in three different states a chance to win up to $5,000 in cash.
Accredited K-12 schools in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois are eligible to win more than $20,000 in total prizes in the third annual Michigan Apple School Sweepstakes.
To enter, students collect and save the Michigan Apple logos off bags of apples. Each logo submitted counts as an entry into the drawing which will be held next spring. Two of the following prizes will be given away:
1st Place – $5,000
2nd Place – $3,000
3rd Place – $1,000
According to Denise Donohue, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, the sweepstakes was developed to encourage healthy eating habits in children and to support the 950 apple growers in Michigan.
"In this case, eating Michigan Apples can literally pay off – not only in terms of the health benefits, but the chance to win a substantial amount of money for your school," said Donohue.
"This year we have included a new incentive – the two schools collecting the most Michigan Apple logos will each receive a brand new computer."
The contest continues through the spring. Entries must be postmarked by April 15, 2009. For contest rules, entry forms and support materials, visit MichiganApples.com/schools&kids. The Michigan Apple Committee is a grower-funded, nonprofit organization devoted to market development, education and research activities to distinguish the Michigan apple.