Support Music Education (and win an iTunes gift card) from Energizer

This past year, music education has entered our lives in a big way. 3Po and Jammy joined their school choir and have performed at several school concerts and at local senior centers. They're even singing the national anthem at a San Francisco Giants baseball game next month! They also started piano lessons and they practice every day, even though they're not taking lessons in the summertime. The Pea also started recorder lessons in school and she'll be moving on to violin or flute lessons when she enters 5th grade in the fall. Our home is full of the sounds of our kids making sweet music, and for that I have our school's music program to thank!

I know our school is lucky to be able to keep a music program, twice a week (plus the school choir) for students in every grade -- and I know there are many schools and districts that aren't so lucky. I firmly believe that music education is just as important as reading and math -- in fact a music education strengthens students' analytic and math skills! -- so I'm also grateful to organizations like VH1's Save The Music Foundation for their efforts to restore instrumental music education in America's public schools.

I'm also happy to announce that one of my favorite brands, Energizer, is partnering with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation, and there are tons of easy ways for you to get involved!

Like the Energizer Bunny on Facebook and Help Increase Energizer’s Support to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation
Now through August 12, people can help support the VH1 Save The Music Foundation simply by clicking “LIKE” on the Energizer Bunny® Facebook page and becoming a fan of the unstoppable icon. For each new “LIKE” through August 12, Energizer will donate $1 to help restore instrumental music education through the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

Help Energizer Pick a Grant Recipient
Energizer is making eight grants to public schools around the country, and fans of the Energizer Bunny® Facebook page will help direct one of these grants by voting for a city where an instrumental grant will be made. Cities vying for the now that’s positivenergy™ grant from Energizer and the VH1 Save The Music Foundation include Philadelphia, Birmingham, Minneapolis, New Haven and Weirton, W.V. Energizer is supporting these grants with a $250,000 overall donation to the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.

Power Your Playlist
In addition to powering music education in America’s public schools, Energizer is also powering Americans’ playlists. Right now in stores, specially-marked Energizer products contain a special code so when someone buys three participating products, he or she can go online to www.nowthatspositivenergy.com/music and redeem the codes for a $10 iTunes Gift Card.

Live Performance in NYC with Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks will perform at a secret location in New York City on July 28. If you live in the NYC-area or will be in the area, come join in the fun. The location of Sparks’ performance is a mystery, so keep your eyes on the VH1 Save The Music Foundation tab on the Energizer Bunny® Facebook page, check out the Energizer Bunny® Twitter handle, @EnergizerBunny or follow #EnergizerSTM on Twitter for the latest news and hints. We’ll reveal the location the morning of the event. The performance is free and open to the public.


You can find out more at http://www.nowthatspositivenergy.com/blog.


Win a $10 iTunes gift card
In celebration of Energizer’s partnership with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and to help power your playlist, Energizer is offering a $10 iTunes Gift Card for one lucky Bonggamom Finds winner.


Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me why you think music education in public schools is a worthy cause. This entry must be completed before extra entries qualify.


Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Write this on the Energizer Bunny Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the Energizer giveaway for an iTunes gift card on Bonggamom Finds! http://ow.ly/5JeGM

2) Tweet this on July 28 (1 entry):
RT @bonggafinds: NYC tweeps! Follow the @EnergizerBunny to find out the secret location where Jordin Sparks is playing today! #EnergizerSTM

3) Tweet this (1 entry):
RT @bonggafinds: Like the Energizer Bunny on FB! For each new Like thru Aug 12, Energizer will donate $1 to VH1 Save the Music Foundation

4) Tweet this (1 entry):
RT @bonggafinds: Buy 3 participating Energizer products and redeem the codes for a $10 iTunes card at www.nowthatspositivenergy.com/music !

5) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the Energizer giveaway for an iTunes gift card on Bonggamom Finds! http://ow.ly/5JeGM

6) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Twitter and tweet this (1 entry):
Win a $10 iTunes gift card from @bonggafinds http://ow.ly/5JeGM #giveaways

7) Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger(1 entry).


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on August 5, 2010; I will draw a winner at random on August 6 and post the winner's name after the winner confirms acceptance. US addresses only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!


Disclosure: I will be receiving an iTunes gift card from Energizer as a thank-you for blogging about this program. Program information is provided by Energizer and is clearly indicated as such. Thanks to Energizer for providing and shipping the giveaway prize. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.