Chicken of the Sea Celebrates #100YearsOfGood In A BIG Way! @COSMermaid - With $1000 #Giveaway

This post is brought to you by Chicken of the Sea. Please note that as always, any personal opinions reflected in this post are my own and have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

My parents are both very active in supporting different causes. My father is very involved in supporting veterans through the Sons of the American Legion. He hosts a watchfire every year to remind people that there are still soldiers waiting to come home – our POW/MIAs. I was raised to be kind and to be good to others. I didn’t really have to be taught to be kind, because I watched them do it. At a young age I developed an interest in people with disabilities, helping an organization called Hand in Hand. After my son was born I still wanted to help others, but chose to head off in a direction of my own. The birth of my youngest son left me painfully aware of a void within our community. As a result, I founded a nonprofit organization supporting people with Down syndrome and their families. It is the only organization of its kind in our county. It is tireless, hard work that I do entirely out of love and necessity. I don’t make money from it, it actually costs me money. And I don’t consider it a job. I consider it a very important cause and a labor of love. Running the organization, and handling all of its functions like fundraising, outreach, publicity – it’s all hard work. But it’s worth every drop of sweat and every tear. It really does make you feel good to do good. It’s my way of giving back to my community. I also figure if I want the world to be a better place I have to help it get there. One person can make a difference, even if that difference is only telling one other person.

I love to see companies doing good in communities, and giving back. I especially love it when those companies are companies whose products I already buy. Chicken of the Sea is a product that you will almost always find in our kitchen. My youngest absolutely loves tuna fish. He could eat it every single day, seriously. I couldn’t help but smile when I learned that Chicken of the Sea, who’s been around for 100 years, has kicked off a huge celebration and campaign to give back. How big? BIG! They are investing $1 million in individuals who do good in their communities!

I’m sure you know who Chicken of the Sea is. They are a leading provider of packaged, sustainable seafood, offering a robust product line, fabulous recipes, and more for seafood fans. No doubt you’ve seen them in the grocery store, they’re the ones with the mermaid on the cans. You can’t miss them. That mermaid sure has changed over the years. Take a look.

After all this time, she looks better now then ever, don’t you think! But, everyone calls her “the mermaid”. That’s not right. Someone 100 years old ought to be called by her name, don’t you agree? So now when you see her, please call her Catalina.

The mermaid finally received an official name as part of a contest that recently closed. Her name, Catalina, was officially revealed when the Great American Gratitude Tour kicked off last week.

As a celebration of its 100th anniversary in 2014, the Chicken of the Sea Great American Gratitude Tour will visit local communities throughout the country from March 6 – September 8 to thank Americans for making it a mealtime staple for a Century. In all, the famous brand will present 100 $10,000 Gratitude Awards – and then personally honor many of the recipients right in their hometowns during the 39-city, coast-to-coast Tour.

What an awesome way to empower people out there doing good to continue doing good! Nominations are accepted for the Great American Gratitude honorees who will receive $10,000! You can nominate someone by clicking here. You can nominate a person or nonprofit.

The tour will be stopping in 39 US cities. At each tour stop, the Chicken of the Sea Mermaid (newly resurrected since her singing debut in 1952) will emerge from her specially outfitted vintage Airstream to take pictures with the public; distribute coupons, autographs and other free giveaways; offer Mermaid tattoos for the kids; and provide healthy-eating tips. Participants can also receive special commemorative coins that offer the chance to win $10,000 instantly.

The tour launched last week in San Diego. I’m hoping it will come to my area, I’d love to have my picture taken with the Mermaid! Right now it’s on the West coast.

Seattle/Tacoma, WA:

· St. Patrick’s Day Parade at City Hall Park (450 3rd Avenue) on March 15 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (THIS IS TODAY)

· St. Patrick’s Day Dash at Fisher Pavilion Post Race Bash (305 Harrison Street) on March 16 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bay Area, CA:

· Embarcadero Center at 4 Embarcadero Center in San Francisco on March 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

· Walmart at 5095 Almaden Expy in San Jose on March 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

· Oakland Running Festival at Snow Park (1901 Harrison Street) in Oakland on March 23 from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Here’s an overview of what states the Chicken of the Sea Mermaid will be making stops in. Find specific dates and locations on the Chicken of the Sea website.

As a part of the celebration Chicken of the Sea has launched a commemorative product line with special packaging. These products are available in single and quad packs at supermarkets. If you’re into nostalgia you’ll want to hurry because they’ll only be in stores for a limited time.

This campaign is so cool in so many ways! You’ll definitely want to be a part of it! Be sure to stay up to date with the latest info in any or all of these places:

Also, be sure to join in the fun. Share your stories, photos and videos and express your gratitude! Be sure to use the hashtag #100YearsOfGood, as many will be appearing on the 100 Year of Good story wall.

There’s one more thing.

I am so very, very, very excited that Chicken of the Sea has asked me to be a part of their “100 Year of Good” campaign.

WIN IT!

I’m giving away $1,000!!!!!

FOUR winners will each receive $250!

HOW TO ENTER.

Let me know how you “do good” or “give back” within your community. I’ll be looking for four things in your answer.

What do you do?
How long have you been doing it?
What is the reason or inspiration for why you do it?
How will you pay it forward if you win, meaning what will you do with the money if you win?

Leave a comment on this post answering the above four questions. Make me laugh, make me cry, tug at my heart strings! Entries must answer all questions above to some degree of detail. In other words one word answers or a one sentence answer will not qualify. I’d say you should be submitting about a paragraph, more if you like. While all relevant and respectful comments are welcome, those that do not meet the requirements will not be eligible to win. You may email a photo to go with your submission if you like, you can email it to valmg2 AT gmail DOT com with the subject #100YearsOfGood photo. Be sure to include your name, so I can match your photo with your entry.

This giveaway ends on 03/31/14. This is the only way to enter this giveaway. There are no bonus entries. If you’d like to spread the word about the celebration, and how Chicken of the Sea is giving back, and this giveaway, please do! US addresses only please, no PO Boxes.

Good luck to everyone! I truly can’t wait to read your stories!

This promotion is created and owned by From Val’s Kitchen, who is entirely responsible for rules and all legal considerations. Chicken of the Sea provides award money only.