I received an email from one of our readers, telling me about a contest one of her clients is hosting, in order to provide care packages for our Troops this Holiday season. The company, Appliance Parts Pros, located in Van Nuys, California, has already sent 80 care packages filled with goodies to the Troops and they want to do even more!

November 16, 2007

AppliancePartsPros.com launches “Comforts of Home” holiday blog contest

Win an iPhone or Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer as well as help build care packages for US soldiers serving overseas

Contest details –
· The contest prizes consist of three Apple iPhones ® or Kitchen Aid Artisan Series ® Stand Mixers. The winners choose which one they would prefer to receive.

· There are two ways to enter the contest: Either blog about a holiday cooking horror story experienced or post a personal text, audio, or video message for the troops and then send an email to contest@appliancepartspros.com with the link. Once the post is confirmed, the email address will be entered in the contest (one entry per email address or blog), or subscribe to ApplianceJournal.com or The Repair Blog via email and receive one entry in the contest.

· A unique twist to the contest also allows participants who choose to post a blog entry to help build items in the “Comforts of Home” care packages that will be donated to US soldiers serving overseas in Iraq or Afghanistan. Each blog post adds one item to the care package.

· 80 care packages have already been sent to the men and women of Alpha Co. 3/69 AR and 2ND PLT, A BTRY 1-9 FA in Iraq and 1-508th PIR 82nd ABN DIV in Afghanistan. AppliancePartsPros.com will send additional packages built from this contest to US soldiers serving overseas in mid-December 2007.

· The contest runs from November 16 to December 17, 2007. The winners will be drawn randomly on December 20, 2007 at approx. 1pm PST in Van Nuys, CA at Appliance Parts Pros Corporate Office. Continental USA residents only.

· Items in the “Comforts of Home” care packages include: a 300-minute Military Exchange Calling Card; Writing materials; Protein-rich snacks; Personal hygiene items; 2 current magazines. A note with a link to all of the messages of support received will also be included when the packages are sent. 5 individual blog posts send 1 additional care package to a soldier.

Quotes attributable to AppliancePartsPros.com –

Roman Kagan, CEO:

“To celebrate our eight year anniversary we felt we should do something to give back to our customers and the community for helping make AppliancePartsPros.com a huge success, and to thank them for rating us as a Platinum e-tailer this year on BizRate.com. We felt this unique contest was a good way of doing that.”

“Our troops are performing a tremendous service for our country and we wanted to help them feel comfortable while they are away from home this holiday season. We’ve already heard from a Family Readiness Group leader about our donation earlier this month and we hope to help even more soldiers serving overseas through this contest.”

Matt Hansen, Manager of Operations:

“Having served as a Marine, I know how difficult it can be for the troops serving away from home over the holidays. I’m proud of the effort we’ve made to help them feel closer to home and connect with their loved ones this year.”

I think this is a fantastic idea! Remember, for each holiday “horror story” or message of support, an item will be added into the next batch of care packages that Appliance Part Pros will be sending out to the Troops and you get the opportunity to win something as well. So, everyone, think back to Holidays past and describe your “Holiday Horror Story” to help support our Troops!

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