ILLINOIS STATEWIDE WRITING COMPETITION LAUNCHED ON 15 JUNE 2010

Contact:
John D. Evans
Tel. 708-383-1264
Cell Phone: 708-214-0706
Email: IMDIllinois@aol.com


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

IMD ILLINOIS, INC. LAUNCHES STATEWIDE WRITING COMPETITION

Open to all Illinois Writers from the Incarcerated to the Free



A non-profit organization designed to promote positive models for men and boys and determined to uphold the core objectives of the International Men's Day (IMD) movement, IMD Illinois, Inc., under the leadership of IMD Regional Coordinator of the State of Illinois, John D. Evans, reaches out to both the incarcerated and the free. Tapped by Diane Sears, IMD Coordinator for the U.S.A., Mr. Evans has launched an aggressive campaign to promote positive models for men and boys throughout the state of Illinois. "International Men's Day is on the move in Illinois," says Mr. Evans.



Mr. Evans announces that June 15, 2010 marks the beginning of the IMD Illinois Statewide Writing Competition, which welcomes the poetry, essays, and short stories of Illinois writers. The competition lasts until September 15, 2010. Each writing category will be judged by a distinguished individual from the state of Illinois. The Final Poetry Judge is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus, Dr. Bruce Guernsey, of Eastern Illinois University. First place winners in each category will receive five hundred dollars; second place winners in each category will receive two hundred dollars; and third place winners in each category will receive one hundred dollars. Winners will be announced in October, 2010 and celebrated at an awards dinner and gala to take place at a location to be determined on International Men's Day, November 19, 2010.


International Men's Day began on November 19th 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago and was supported by the United Nations. The event received wide support from men's groups in USA, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. Speaking on behalf of UNESCO, Ms. Ingeborg Breines, Director of Women and Culture of Peace said, “This is an excellent idea and would give some gender balance.” She added that her organization was looking forward to cooperating with organizers of IMD.



Join the International Men's Day movement today. Contact John D. Evans to find out what you can do to promote positive models for men and boys in the State of Illinois.



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If you'd like more information about International Men's Day, visit www.international-mens-day.com, or to schedule an interview with John D. Evans, please call 708-214-0706 or email IMDIllinois@aol.com.