Questions about Craft for a Cause?

Questions you might have & the answers you need
about the Jo-Ann 2010 charity craft contest

Official Rules and Regulations are essential for any sweepstakes or contest, but we realize that sometimes you have questions and need answers in plain English.
We've assembled answers to a lot of the questions we believe folks will have regarding the Jo-Ann Craft for a Cause contest here. If you don't find the answer to your question, contact our customer service team by calling 1-888-739-4120 (Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST) or via e-mail.
CRAFTING FOR YOUR CAUSE
Question: What is Craft for a Cause?
Answer: Craft for a Cause is a contest hosted by Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores and sponsored by 3M, Die Cuts with a View, DecoArt, EK Success, Simplicity and Wrights. The contest is intended to encourage Jo-Ann customers to make and donate a handmade item to their favorite charities.
Entrants have the opportunity to win $1,500 in Jo-Ann gift cards while "nominating" or "voting" for their charity for a chance to win a donation from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.
Each entry for a particular charity counts as a "vote" to put that charity in the final round, which will engage the public in voting. Jo-Ann will donate $90,000 to charitable organizations.
Question: How does the Craft for a Cause contest work?
Answer: Entrants must hand-make an item for donation to a charitable organization of entrant's choice using materials purchased at a Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store or from Joann.com.
Entrants — A panel of sewing and crafting experts will judge all eligible entries and will select five (5) winners based on the quality & workmanship, creativity and functionality of the item for the chosen organization. Judging will be done based on the photographs and written information submitted via the online entry form. Each winner will receive $1,500 in Jo-Ann gift cards.
Charities — The three charities receiving the most entries become Craft for a Cause finalists. The public will be vote for one of these charities as their favorite. The charity with the most votes will receive a $50,000 donation. The second place charity will receive $25,000 and third will receive $15,000.
Question: Can you tell me if my charity accepts handmade donations?
Answer: Unfortunately, no. It is the entrant's responsibility to ensure that his/her charity of choice can and will accept the donation.

Question: What kind of handmade item should I donate? Can you provide examples?
Answer: Examples of handmade items that can be donated to charities include but are not limited to blankets for a homeless shelter, hats for preemies or caps chemo patients, artwork to brighten a nursing home or toys for an animal shelter.
Question: Can I make a handmade item to raise money for my charity or donate a handmade item to a charity fundraiser?
Answer: For the purposes of this contest, this qualifies as a donation to charity; however, it is always best to check with the charity directly before initiating any fundraising on their behalf.
Question: Can I use a pattern or kit to make the item?
Answer: The use of patterns or kits purchased from your local Jo-Ann store is permitted, but entrant must make the item with little or no assistance from others. No groups or teams are allowed. Each member of a group must enter individually with information and photographs about his/her own craft item.

AGE & OTHER ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
Question: How old must I be to enter?
Answer: You must be at least 14 years old at the time of entry to qualify. If you are under the age of 14, you are not eligible to participate and should not provide any information to Jo-Ann Stores, Inc.
Question: Why have Maryland and Vermont residents been excluded from eligibility for this contest?
Answer: Maryland and Vermont have provisions prohibiting the payment of money in order to participate in a contest. Since the rules require that participants purchase supplies in order to create their project, allowing participants from those states would violate state laws.
Question: My mother works for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, can I still participate?
Answer: Officers, directors and employees of Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, and immediate family members (parent, child, spouse, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister) and members of the households of such persons (whether or not related) are not eligible to participate in the Contest.

CONTEST DETAILS & HOW TO ENTER
Question: When will the contest be held?
Answer: The Craft for a Cause public contest launched on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010 at 12:01 a.m. ET. All entries must be submitted online no later than 11:59:59 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2010.
Question: How do I enter?
Answer: Entries must be submitted online. You can view the Official Rules and submit your entry online by visiting: www.joann.com/craftforacause.
Question: Can I enter more than once?
Answer: There is a limit of one entry per person for the public contest.
Question: What do I need to submit to enter?
Answer:

1. Complete Official Entry Form including signed Liability and Publicity Release and Consent portion at bottom of entry form.
2. Three (3) color photographs with one photograph showing a full view of the entire item and two showing details such as a close-up view and the back or inside of the item, as appropriate. No professional photography permitted.
3. A scanned image of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store or Joann.com receipt(s) showing the purchase of the materials used to make the project.

Question: Where should I send my donation?
Answer: The crafted item should be sent to the charity or fundraising group directly; Jo-Ann CANNOT accept in-kind (handmade) donations on behalf of any charitable organizations.
Question: Do I need to buy "every single item" from Jo-Ann?
Answer: The goal of the Craft for a Cause is to encourage Jo-Ann customers to make and donate a handmade item to their favorite charity, using products available from Jo-Ann. This does not mean that a receipt is required for every single item used, especially since many crafters may have or keep some basic tools and supplies—such as hooks, needles, pins, scissors, a sewing machine, etc.—on hand.
In other words, the "bulk" of the materials used should come from Jo-Ann with receipt(s) provided showing proof of purchase. You wouldn't be expected to re-purchase every tool solely for this contest. For example, if you are crocheting or knitting a cap for a preemie, you can purchase the yarn but may use a hook or needles you already own to complete the project.

AND THE WINNER IS...
Question: What can I, the sewing or crafting enthusiast, win?
Answer: Five (5) winners will each receive $1,500 in Jo-Ann gift cards. Total value of all five (5) prizes is $7,500. Limit one prize per person.
Question: How will the winners be chosen?
Answer: A panel of sewing and crafting experts will judge all eligible entries and will select five (5) winners based on the creativity, quality/workmanship and functionality of the item for the chosen organization, as shown in the photographs submitted with each entry and the information about the item and the charitable organization provided on each entry form.
Question: When will I find out if I won?
Answer: The five potential winners will be notified by e-mail and/or telephone on or about Nov. 8, 2010, and will have five (5) business days to contact Jo-Ann regarding their prizes. No telephone calls or correspondence will be accepted from entrants inquiring on winners or judges' selections.
Question: If I win, when and how will I get my prize?
Answer: If you win, Jo-Ann will ship your gift card to you at the address provided in the declaration and forms within six (6) to eight (8) weeks after confirmation.
Question: Can I get a list of the winners?
Answer: For a list of prize winners, mail a business size self-addressed stamped envelope, accompanied by a hand-printed request to:
Winners List Request: Craft for a Cause Contest 2010
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores
5555 Darrow Road
Hudson Ohio 44236
Requests for a list of winners must be received between Oct. 16 and Dec. 11, 2010.

CHARITY VOTING
Question: When will the charity voting take place?
Answer: Public voting for the top charities (finalists) will commence on or about Nov. 7, 2010 and will run through Dec. 4, 2010.
Question: How/where do I vote for my charity?
Answer: Again, you can visit www.joann.com/craftforacause.
Question: How often can I vote?
Answer: One vote per e-mail address per day.
Question: When will you announce the final results of public voting for the top three (3) charities?
Answer: The results of the public voting and the amounts going to each charity will be announced on or about Monday, Dec. 6, 2010.

Again, if you have a question that wasn't answered viewing the rules or in the information above, we invite you to contact our customer service team by calling 1-888-739-4120 (Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST) or via e-mail.
Resources

• Sample Project: Lion Brand Warm Up America Blanket
• Sample Project: Crochet Baby Hats
• Sample Project: Floral Military Cap
• Contest Sponsors include: 3M, Die Cuts with a View, DecoArt, EK Success, Simplicity and Wrights
• Contest Page: Craft for a Cause on Joann.com
• Read & Review: Official Contest Rules & Regulations
• Submit Your Entry: Official Online Entry Form
• Find Us: Jo-Ann Store & Class Locator
• Shop: Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores Online