Celebrity Carpenter Andrew Dan-Jumbo Teams Up With Expo(R) to Help Erase Nation's Dusty, Drab Classrooms

Celebrity Carpenter Andrew Dan-Jumbo Teams Up With Expo(R) to Help Erase Nation's Dusty, Drab Classrooms

Makeover Contest Aims to Get Teachers and Students on Board to Revitalize Classrooms

OAK BROOK, Ill., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- It only takes a walk through a handful of America's classrooms to notice an unfortunate theme -- a desperate need for renovations. In fact, three-quarters of the nation's public school buildings require repairs, renovations and modernizations to be in good condition(1). With this in mind, EXPO(R) dry erase products have teamed up with celebrity carpenter Andrew Dan-Jumbo of TLC's popular makeover show While You Were Out to offer students across the country the chance to win a complete classroom overhaul.

The EXPO Classroom Makeover contest invites students in grades 4-8 nationwide to write a short essay about the way their teacher makes learning fun, for a chance to win a classroom makeover worth $10,000. Contest rules and application instructions are available online at http://www.expomarkers.com/ .

"I've had a lot of great opportunities to 'wow' people with makeovers in their homes, but making a difference for students who really need a new classroom is even more worthwhile," said Andrew Dan-Jumbo, star carpenter for TLC's While You Were Out and spokesperson for the EXPO Classroom Makeover Program. "I'm excited to work with EXPO to kick off this program in Chicago by supplying teachers with a better environment -- and the tools they need -- to help students learn."

EXPO design teams will make over five winning students' classrooms at the end of the contest to give them a much-needed facelift, using a new system that can resurface dingy chalkboards into white boards. The teams will offer new white boards, complete with colorful EXPO dry erase markers and accessories, along with a fresh coat of paint and an overall new design to enhance the classroom learning environment. Each contest winner will also receive a new Dell(R) personal computer for their use at home.

"While funding is, and will continue to be an obstacle for schools, this program awards the work of outstanding students and their teachers and removes the financial burden," said Phil Dolci, vice president and general manager of EXPO. "We're happy to start the momentum to wipe away the dust and build a fresh, colorful atmosphere in schools nationwide."

Contest entries must be submitted online by December 15, 2005. Entries will be judged based on the effectiveness of the description, appropriateness to theme and entertainment value. Contest winners will be announced in January 2006.

About EXPO(R)

One of Sanford's most popular brands, EXPO(R) is the leader in dry erase markers, accessories and white board surfaces. Sanford, a business of Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE:NWL), is a worldwide leader in the manufacturing and marketing of writing instruments, art products and office organization, including such well known brands as Paper Mate(R), Sharpie(R), Parker(R), Waterman(R), Foohy(R), uni-ball(R) and Rolodex(R), among others. Sanford makes more than 6,000 products, ranging from markers, pens and pencils to professional art products, fine writing instruments and office organization products. For more information on EXPO, go to http://www.expomarkers.com/ .

(1) Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education
Statistics. (2000). Condition of America's Public School Facilities:
1999 (NECES 2000-032).

For more information, contact:
Sanford: Rebecca Dewbray
(630) 481-2188 rebecca.dewbray@sanfordcorp.com

Weber Shandwick: Christine Johnson
(314) 552-6747 csjohnson@webershandwick.com

Source: Sanford

CONTACT: Rebecca Dewbray of Sanford, +1-630-481-2188,
rebecca.dewbray@sanfordcorp.com , or Christine Johnson of Weber Shandwick,
+1-314-552-6747, csjohnson@webershandwick.com

Web site: http://www.expomarkers.com/

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