As a leader and innovator in involving kids in charitable pursuits, Save the Children enables budding philanthropists to respond to the needs of the world's young people through very creative methods. Since the mid-1980's the charity has invited children to enter their artwork into a twice-yearly contest with the winners getting not only a $500 savings bond, but the unique honor of potentially seeing their designs translated into a range of licensed products with the royalties going to help children in need, around the world and in the US.

For many years, Save the Children has understood the importance of involving children in efforts to help others. For example, in 2005, about 1 in every 10 dollars in private donations contributed to Save the Children for its tsunami response was sent by children. But involvement doesn't necessarily mean giving cash. Save the Children's unique approach hinges on the premise that children can give in ways other than monetary, including through their creativity and imagination. The art contest was devised to put that theory into practice. "Children's innate creativity and goodwill can help others in a meaningful way," said Lori Redmer, associate vice president, Global Corporate Partnerships, Save the Children. "Through the art contest, we show kids that they can make a huge difference in the lives of those less fortunate. And introducing children early to the importance of helping others can provide youngsters with important lessons they can use throughout their lives."

Contest winners are selected by staff members from the charity and chosen for theme, creativity and adaptability to a product line. Over the course of this program, over three hundred designs have been chosen and many have been licensed by manufacturers and translated onto products. Royalties from these products typically support Save the Children's global mission.

Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Organized in 1932, Save the Children was created to help families survive the Great Depression. Today, the organization comes to the aid of kids in over 40 countries including the United States, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nicaragua, Uganda, Vietnam and many more. Save the Children's relief and development programs address both the immediate and long-term needs of children struggling to overcome poverty. For their efforts, Save the Children has been recognized with Charity Navigator's highest four-star rating for three consecutive years.

For more information on Save the Children visit www.savethechildren.org