One local elementary school is competing for a ton of cash -- a share of an $80,000 pot.
Emory Elementary, which is a part of the South Bay Union School District, is in the running to win a portion of the pot as part of the 2009 Big Lots Lots2Give contest. The cash awards include one grand prize of $10,000, three first prizes of $5,000 each, and 22 second prizes of $2,500 each.
Participating schools had to submit a creative 90-second video and a 50-word essay on why they could use some extra financial help.
"The beauty is that my class created the video not for themselves but for the school," said Roseann Hernandez, the third grade teacher whose class submitted the video. "The money goes to our school so it's actually our class working to build the community."
The public whittled down the initial submissions -- now, 26 schools will be selected to share the $80,000 pot. San Diegans have a chance to help Emory Elementary out by casting up to three votes a day for their school video, "Building Strong Minds and Healthy Bodies."
The 103 schools that participated will not leave empty-handed, though. Big Lots has set up an in-store donation program where customers can help their local school by donating $1 or $5. All donations will go to their school of choice.
Three San Diego schools are taking part in the program: West View Elementary, Imperial Beach Elementary and, of course, Emory Elementary.
Votes can be cast between June 11 and July 12. Winners will be announced Aug. 1.
