SAN DIEGO, Aug. 12, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- National award-winning toymaker, Lolo Company, whose motto is "Live Life to the 'Funnest'!" has launched its 2nd annual nationwide search for America's 'Funnest' Kid. The award will recognize kids who create fun in their household and within their community.
"LoLo innovated this unique annual award to promote lighthearted fun and laughter in the world and to spotlight kids who serve as important role models for all of us," shares LoLo president, Charlie Paul. "The award also gives parents and families another avenue to focus on the joy kids bring to the community," he adds.
All kids, ages six to 16, who reside in the United States, are encouraged to enter by the October 29, 2004, deadline. Contest rules and entry form can be downloaded from www.lolofun.com.
Those who enter are required to write the answers to five questions. They also must submit a funny photo and a brief video of themselves, a letter of recommendation from an adult who knows their fun side, and include an entry form signed by all legal guardians.
Questions include:
1. Describe in detail some activities you do/did at home to create fun for everyone in your household.
2. Describe an event or activity that you did to bring fun to those outside your home (in your community) and what were the positive results? Be sure to include the name of the community organization or cause you helped.
3. Describe a situation where you used fun/lightheartedness to turn a negative situation into a positive one.
4. Explain the best advice you can give other kids about creating fun and laughter.
One overall winner, four finalists, and 50 third place winners will be selected and announced in early December 2004. America's Funnest Kid Award recipient will receive national and hometown recognition, as well as a monetary award for a toy store shopping spree, a load of LoLo games, an award plaque, and a possible spotlight on television. The four finalists will receive one age-appropriate LoLo game, toy store gift certificate, and an award certificate. All kids who enter and meet contest qualifications will be recognized on LoLo's web site and provided a 10% discount coupon to buy a game off the company's web site.
Judges, composed of television celebrities and comedians, educators, youth organization leaders, journalists, child psychologists, toy store executives, and LoLo game inventors will evaluate the submissions. In addition, the 2004 "America's 'Funnest' Kid," Sarah Cunningham of Oregon, will serve as a judge.
Cunningham, who will enter 8th grade in the fall, has a knack for lifting people's spirits and was chosen for her playful leadership skills and innovative ability to create fun at home and in the community. The judges were especially impressed by her funny family newsletter project and an activity she created called the "Cleaning Game." She brings her cheerful spirit to the local Humane Society where she has volunteered and also participates in musicals, sings at retirement homes, and smiles often, as was evident in her memorable video.
According to Cunningham, known as the family clown, "Laughter is extremely important because it can brighten dark surroundings, add light to a gloomy situation, or break a silence." She says that "fun is the glue holding life together" and believes "funliness is next to cleanliness!"
During this past year, Cunningham has served as a LoLo Company spokesperson to help inspire kids across the United States to live with more lightheartedness and playfulness in order to bring more joy and laughter to their families and communities.
LoLo also hopes the award reminds adults to be more child-like and inspires teachers to create fun classroom environments.
"We will feature some of the kids' answers on LoLo's web site to educate and inspire kids to use humor to respond to peer-to-peer and peer-to-parent criticism," shares Bob Paul, LoLo vice president and a school teacher in southern California.
LoLo Company is the maker of numerous award-winning games, which include the 15-games in one Bucket Blast; the hysterical improvisational game Don't Make Me Laugh in children and adult versions; Pool Pirates, Bandito, RohSzamBo, Strange But True, and others.
For more information about the contest and LoLo, go to the company's web site at www.lolofun.com.
NOTE TO MEDIA: America's Funnest Kid logo, contest rules and entry form are available to you upon request (or downloadable at www.lolofun.com).