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Announcing the Zootoo.com Shelter Makeover Contest. Zootoo.com is a website designed to help animal lovers share information about everything animal: pet services, products, news, volunteer opportunities, pet food recalls and pet social networking. Their goal is to improve animal shelters, facilitate adoptions, and make shelter visits a safe, positive experience for children.

Log on to the website to earn points for sharing information on a variety of pet oriented subjects, then direct your points to one of the participating animal shelters. Be sure to do so before the deadline, March 31. Twenty lucky animal shelters will win cash prizes to help them make renovations to improve their services. The grand prize winner will receive a makeover up to one million dollars!

updated 3/7/08

“It's A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood...” Thank you, Mr. Rogers for being our television neighbor for so many years! The Family Communications Inc. of Pittsburgh is asking everyone Participate in a "Sweater Day" to honor Fred Rogers on what would have been his 80^th birthday. Wear a sweater on Thursday, March 20, in appreciation of Mr. Rogers and his children's show. Zip up your cardigan and slip into your blue Keds if you are feeling neighborly. Show your thanks to the television pioneer who assured millions of children, "You Can Never Go Down the Drain."

Just for fun, take a look at Mr. McFeely's YouTube promotion of the event, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiTeN2PvJeo.

Children ages 5 to 15 are invited to submit works of visual art to “All Kids Can … CREATE,” a project of VSAarts and CVS Caremark to demonstrate how the arts can build inclusive communities.

There are no limits to what a participant can create. Children are invited to use both traditional and non-traditional art-making materials. To be eligible for consideration, two-dimensional artwork can range in size from 3 x 5 inches to a maximum of 18 x 24 inches. Three-dimensional artwork should not exceed 18 x 18 x 18 inches.

There is no fee. Entries must be received via digital photograph by March 14, 2008. Winners will have their work displayed in Washington, D.C. For more information concerning guidelines and entry instructions, please visit www.vsarts.org/allkidscan.

The call to create is the result of a partnership between VSA arts and CVS Caremark All Kids Can. Joined by a mutual commitment to children with disabilities, the two organizations formed a year-long campaign to encourage learning and community engagement through creating art.

Through this campaign, young people will create original artwork, artist-in-residence programs in schools will expand access and document learning through the arts for students with disabilities, and CVS Caremark employees will lead volunteer activities that engage their communities and/or schools in building inclusive environments. 

VSA arts’ affiliates will conduct local arts-based initiatives which will culminate in a national exhibition in Washington, D.C., in June 2008, as part of VSA arts’ annual “Start with the Arts” Family Festival.  

Kohl's Kids Who Care scholarship program is designed to recognize and reward youth volunteers, ages 6-18, nationwide. It is estimated that American youth contribute more than 1.3 billion hours of community service each year. Kohl's wishes to recognize the actions of these generous kids. Two nominees from each Kohl's store will win a $50 gift card; some will win regional scholarships worth $1,000 toward post-secondary education. Ten volunteers will earn scholarships worth $5,000 and Kohl's will donate $1,000 to a nonprofit organization on their behalf. Nominate a young person you know by visiting www.kohlskidswhocare.com. Nominations are accepted February 1 - March 15.

One $3,000 and two $1,000 college scholarships will be awarded by American Family Fitness for the 2008-09 school year. Graduating seniors from the cities of Colonial Heights and Fredericksburg and the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Spotsylvania are invited to apply. Applicants must have an intended college major in fitness or business, have maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA in high school, serve at least 20 hours in the community and exhibit strong leadership abilities. Details, application and essay question are available at www.amfamfit.com. Application deadline is April 1, 2008.

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