OKLAHOMA NEWSPAPER FOUNDATION

N E W S P A P E R S I N E D U C A T I O N

PaperBlock sales benefit your NIE program by serving as afundraiser and raising community awareness of it.Local businesses donate $50 gift certificates, whichyou then sell to the public at a discount. The fundsfrom the sale benefit your NIE program. It is called aBlock Sale because the advertisement that you run inyour paper looks like a grid with each “block” listinga different gift certificate (one per block).

The average number of blocks is 25-40 with a saleprice of $30-35 each. The public can purchase thesecertificates by calling the newspaper office at a desig-nated time and requesting a specific block/gift certifi-cate. Blocks are sold first come, first served. Thispromotion works well for those businesses that mightnot have money set aside for an NIE sponsorship. Itmay be easier for them to provide a gift certificate.

Process1. Select the date and time of the sale (usually a

one or two-hour period). Consider a weekdayevening or Saturday morning (beware summermonths). For your first sale, consider allowingfour weeks to prepare - one week for initial callsand letters, one week for follow-ups, one week topick up or create gift certificates, one week tocreate and publish the ads. Determine the number of blocks you will try to recruit and thediscounted selling price (usually $30 or $35).Consider offering to create gift certificates fordonating businesses that do not have pre-madeones.

2. Contact businesses for $50.00 gift certificatedonations. For your first sale you should send anexplanation letter and a copy of a spec block salead. Phone calls may be sufficient for future blocksales when businesses know about the programand are renewing their donations. Local and

franchise businesses are usually easier to workwith than large chain stores that must confer withtheir corporate offices before making donations.(Examples: local restaurants, movie theaters,hobby stores, clothing stores, toy stores, golfpackages, grocery stores)

The key is to get businesses who will be interest-ed in donating regularly because you don’t wantto be out pounding the pavement each time. Bythe third or fourth time you should be getting ahalf dozen new businesses and renewing thedonation from others.

3. Pick up gift certificates at donating businessesprior to the sale. (Do not rely on them to bemailed.) Create any additional gift certificates.

4. Request logos from donating businesses for theblock sale ads. First, check with your advertisingor production staffs to see which logos arealready in the newspaper’s files.

5. Prepare ads to include the blocks, rules andsome info about your NIE program.

• Schedule a couple of quarter-page ads to bepublished on the days leading up to the saleand a full-page ad on the sale date. Keeptearsheets of the ads for your donating busi-nesses, your files and to use for future blocksales.

• Make sure the date, time and phone numberare in large print.

• Select the phone number to be published forthe sale. Make sure its voice mail capabilitiescan be disabled and it won’t roll over toother phone lines in the office. Listing multi-ple phone numbers for the public to call isdiscouraged because blocks could be soldaccidentally to more than one person callingin at the same time.

Block Sale PlanPage 1 of 4

OKLAHOMA NEWSPAPER FOUNDATION

N E W S P A P E R S I N E D U C A T I O N

Block Sale PlanPage 2 of 4

• State your rules clearly in the ad.SAMPLE RULES:Only credit card payments will be accepted.Only one certificate is available for each block

(unless otherwise stated).Only one certificate may be purchased per phone call.Certificates are sold on a FIRST CALL,

FIRST SERVED basis.Unless otherwise stated, all certificates

have a minimum value of $50.Do NOT call any other number at the

Newspaper Name except (xxx) xxx-xxxx.NO VOICE MAIL messages will be accepted. DO NOT leave a message.

6. Create a worksheet that lists each block salenumber, the corresponding business (donatingthe gift certificate), and places to write the con-tact and payment information of the buyers dur-ing the sale.

7. Day of the sale:

• Disable the block sale phone line’s voicemail system and post a voice message suchas: “You have reached the NIE Block Sale.Our operators are currently busy, pleasehang up and call again. Orders left on voicemail will not be accepted.” You probablywon’t have time to check your phone mes-sages and it could interfere with the order ofcalls.

• Do not make any sales prior to the publishedstart time. If you answer the phone prior tothe sale, tell them to call back at the starttime or in ___ minutes. You can offer toanswer any questions during this time.

• If a person’s first choice block is alreadysold, ask for their second choice, etc.

• It is strongly suggested that at least two staffmembers are available to work the first hourof the sale. One person can answer the des-ignated phone line and check the block list

to see if a requested block is available. If itis, the block becomes sold (marked off thelist) and the call is forwarded to anotherstaff person that takes the payment informa-tion. One or several staff people can takepayment info and this method frees up themain phone line for more callers to getthrough.

After Sale:8. After charging all credit cards, mail the gift cer-

tificates to the buyers. If a credit card isdeclined, contact the buyer to give them theopportunity to offer a difference card.

9. Send a thank you letter and tearsheets of the adsto each donating business. Include the date ofthe next block sale and give them the first chanceto participate.

10. If you have leftover blocks:• Hold an in-house sale. Sell the gift certifi-

cates to newspaper staff members.(ABC audited newspapers - this revenue can-not be used toward purchasing classroomnewspapers.)

• Contact family and friends to see if anyone isinterested in purchasing them.

• Immediately place a new ad for a final clear-ance sale. Select a different sale date andtime, perhaps allow a full work day.Consider lowering the price $5 if needed.

• Use in the near future as incentives/prizesfor teachers.

• Hold for next block sale if donating businessdoes not mind.

Information provided by:Diane Goold, St. Joseph News-Press, Missouri;

Jeanie Warner, Salina Journal, Kansas; Dianne L. Schultz, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnston, PA; Dennis Kelsch, The Press Enterprise,

Riverside, CA; Oklahoma Newspaper Foundation

OKLAHOMA NEWSPAPER FOUNDATION

N E W S P A P E R S I N E D U C A T I O N

Block Sale LetterPage 3 of 4

Greetings,

The St. Joseph News-Press Newspaper In Education (NIE) program is seek-

ing your participation in our Block Sale classroom newspaper fund-raising

activity. The Block Sale is an easy and inexpensive way for your business to sup-

port the NIE program.

You participate by donating one or more $50.00 gift certificates to the NIE

program. During the block sale, St. Joseph News-Press readers call to purchase

the donated gift certificates at a bargain price of $30.00 each.

To publicize the sale, two block advertisements are placed in the St. Joseph

News-Press. A quarter-page ad indicating the gift certificates available for pur-

chase is published two days before the sale, and a similar full-page ad is pub-

lished on the sale date. One block is designed for each gift certificate and

includes the donating business’s logo, name and address.

The proceeds of the sale are used to provide newspapers to area students

for their classroom reading and use.

Our next sale will be held Thursday, June 19, 2003. Please contact Diane

Goold by phone at (816) 271-8629 or e-mail at niediane@npgco.com by June

2, 2003.

Your contribution to this vital literacy curriculum resource is greatly appre-

ciated.

Sincerely,

Diane Goold, NIE Coordinator

St. Joseph News-Press

OKLAHOMA NEWSPAPER FOUNDATION

N E W S P A P E R S I N E D U C A T I O N

Block Sale LetterPage 4 of 4

December 09, 2005

Greetings,

The Lincoln Journal Star Newspaper in Education (NIE) program would like your business to consider partic-

ipating in our Block Sale. The Block Sale is an easy and inexpensive way for community businesses to sup-

port our NIE program. The Newspaper in Education program is an international program that strives to

increase literacy through the use of the newspaper.

Here is how the Block Sale works:

• Your business donates (1) or more $50.00 gift certificates to the Lincoln Journal Star NIE program.

• During the sale, our readers call a designated phone number listed on the Block Sale ad and purchase

the gift certificates for $35.00 each.

• In return, your business name/logo and address(es) will be featured in a half-page preview ad the day

before the sale and in a full-page color block ad the day of the sale.

• Your business will also be recognized in our monthly Sponsor Thank you ad for one calendar year from

the date of donation.

The proceeds of the sale are used to provide newspapers during the school year, at no cost, to area class-

rooms. The Lincoln Journal Star offers newspapers to classrooms at a reduced education rate, however some

schools do not have the funding for even this reduced amount.

I hope you will choose to participate in our Block Sale fundraising activity, which is scheduled for Saturday,

January 21st, 2006. During each Block Sale our phones are flooded with calls to purchase gift certificates, so

this is an excellent opportunity to gain exposure while helping education initiatives in our community. Our

area students and their teachers will appreciate your contribution and support.

Please return the enclosed form along with your gift certificates by Friday, January 6th. A postage-paid enve-

lope has been included for your convenience.

For further information, questions, or to participate, please contact Christina Nevitt at (402) 473-7354 or via

email at cnevitt@journalstar.com.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Christina Nevitt

NIE Coordinator

Lincoln Journal Star

HOME FURNISHINGS

Newspapers in Education (NIE) is a nationwide program to promote and increase our childrenʼs literacy by using the

newspaper as a teaching tool. Coordinated by the Log Cabin Democrat, NIE is a unique way for schools, businesses and

the local newspaper to work together in a partnership that benefi ts all of us – now and in the future.

Purchase a $50 gift certifi cate for only $35 Purchase a $50 gift certifi cate for only $35

SALE TODAY ONLY10 a.m. to Noon

Hereʼs a great opportunity for

you to save money from your favorite

restaurants and retailers, and

support literacy efforts at the same time.

INSTRUCTIONS:• Call the phone numbers listed below between 10 a.m. and noon to pur-chase a gift certifi cate. • One gift certifi cate or product is available for each block.• Only one certifi cate may be purchased per phone call. • Certifi cates are sold on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis.• Only credit card pay-ments and check by phone payments will be accepted.• Please do not call any other numbers at the Log Cabin Democrat be-sides the numbers listed below.• No voice mail mes-sages will be accepted. If the line is busy, hang up and try again or another number. Please do not leave messages.

BLOCK SALE

Conway Family Bowling Center

414141414141414141411 2

76

3 5

8 10

151413

19 20

252423

29 30

33 34

38 39 40

41

3736

27

3231

26

2221

1716

1211

18

42

PLEASE CALL:

505-1267

Thank you for support-ing the Newspapers in

Education (NIE) program in our community. With

your help, we are teaching children to improve their

learning skills to battle the local literacy challenge.

To fi nd out more about the Newspapers in Education program, please call

NIE Coordinator Michelle Collins at (501) 505-1267.

Together we can make a difference in our community!

(#5)(#5)

1052 Harrison Conway Towne Centre

2nd Street & Harkrider826 Front Street805 Donaghey Ave.

1018 Van Ronkle St. 393 Hwy. 64 East 1023 Oak St. 116 S. Harkrider Harkrider & 2nd

Highway 65 North165 Farris Road1130 Pats Lane1130 Pats Lane1021 Van Ronkle St.

2310 Sanders St. 945 Carson Cove

13 Foxmoor Circle

3rd & Harkrider

2736 Prince St.815 Hogan Lane

805 Donaghey Ave. 1058 Front St.

Dinner for Two • $50 ValueDinner for Two • $50 Value

Conway Towne Centre 2310 Sanders St.

$50 worth of products

www.fsbhome.com

(501) 329-0102

6-mo Subscription • $53 Value

Gift Certifi cateGift Certifi cate

BLOCK Gift Certifi cate

BLOCK BLOCK Gift Certifi cate

BLOCK LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT NIE PROGRAM

(#5)

Highway 65 North

1010 E. Oak St.

1116 Oak St.

4

201 Hwy. 65 North

28

9

1058 Front St.

6-mo Subscription • $53 Value

1058 Front St.

6-mo Subscription • $53 Value

1058 Front St.

6-mo Subscription • $53 Value

1058 Front St.

6-mo Subscription • $53 Value

Hart’s SeafoodRestaurant

2625 Donaghey Ave., Suite 104

2730 Prince St.

2125 Harkrider St.1495 Hwy. 365 South

800 Walnut

1100 Hwy. 65 North

Home Furnishings

1903 Harkrider

AMF Extreme Boogie Ball 10, 12 or 14 lbs., $64.95 value

Entree and Drinks for 4, $50 valueEntree and Drinks for 4, $50 value

Menʼs purple tie and shirt, size 16, 32/33, $90 value

5 visits in the Pro-Sun SLI 10-minute bed

35

GiftGiftCertificateCertificateBlock SaleBlock Sale

TODAY ONLY!• Buy $50 Gift Certificate Block for only $35• 27 Individual blocks available• Certificates sold first call, first served basis• Certificates sold only on Saturday,

Feb. 26th from 9-10 a.m.• You may purchase only one block

per phone call• Only Credit Card orders will be accepted.

HURRY! CALL665-7811 or 1-800-743-2968

Before They’re All Gone!

NIENIENewspapers In Education

PAGE 2A Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan ■ Saturday, February 26, 2005 www.yankton.net

For T

he S

ake O

f...

When young people read a newspaper, they find that whatlies in its pages is more than mere news.

NIE (Newspapers in Education) is a program that provides dailyPress & Dakotan newspapers to classrooms to be used as teachingmaterials. Along with special instructional materials, thesenewspapers are used at all grade levels to reach children andstimulate their minds. In recent years, the use of newspapers inschool has more than tripled due to the need for a more currentperspective on the events of the world today.

If you want to help build the minds of the young people in thiscommunity through NIE, contact Dave Jeffcoat at the Press &Dakotan at 665-7811 or 1-800-743-2968.

Thank you for your strong support of children’s education.

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

(10 combo meals)1 Free Night

($80 value)

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50Certificate

$50 MallDollars

$50Certificate

Y NKTONMALL

The Gift Shopat Yankton

Rexall Drug

201 Capitol St.

$50Certificate

(Vermillion Location)

Toby’s LoungeFeaturing Chicken & Shrimp

Meckling

YanktonMall

LakeportEmporium

Yankton MallAccepted at ALL Mall Stores

(Yankton Location)

WHIMP’S

Downtown Burbank, SD(Yankton Location)

All Proceeds go to NIE to help support Children’s Education!

6 Month GiftSubscription

($50 value)

More ThanPets

Grooming Salon

$50Certificate(Merchandise Only)

515 E. 4th – Yankton, SD 57078

6 RegularVHS or6 CDs

$50Certificate

Yankton Location Only

Get Good Stuffthe ®

1007 Broadway• Yankton

FOX RUNQUIK LUBEFOX RUNQUIK LUBE

10 MINUTE OILCHANGE CENTER

$50Certificate

Yankton Location Only$50Certificate

Debbie Landwehr, Representative605-661-7098

$50Certificate

(Located at north end of Yankton Mall)

AVON

Literacy

6C The Lincoln Journal Star Saturday, January 22, 2005

To find out more about how you can take part in fighting illiteracy in Southeast Nebraska through our NIE program, please call Christina Nevitt, NIE Coordinator, at 402-473-7354 or 800-742-7315, ext. 7354.

Blocks may be purchased from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, only!*All gift certificates will be mailed by Tuesday, January 25.

52

6 7 10

31

8

4

11 12 14 1513

17 18 19 2016

24232221

16

4911 S. 72nd. St. (Omaha)4010 N. 27th St.

247 N. 8th St.

61st & O St.Westfield Shoppingtown

210 N. 7th St.710 P St.

5900 Old Cheney Rd.

838 N. 27th St.311 N. Cotner Blvd.

6540 O St.

REDLOBSTER

15th & Cornhusker Hwy.

YOUR EDUCATIONCONNECTION

N

NIE

2951 N. 70 St.

7600 San Mateo Ln.

1681 Van Dorn St.

S. 48th & Hwy. 2N. 48th & Vine St.27th & Superior St.

1550 S. Coddington Ave.84th & Holdrege

17th & M St.

221 N. 66th St.

2951 N. 70 St.

4900 N. 27 St.

4700 N. 27th St.

1601 ‘Q’ St., Ste. C623 N. 48th St.4411 N. 27th St.

5400 S. 56th St., Ste. 5

9

Purchase a $50 gift certificate for only $35!

B L OC K S A L ETHE JOURNAL STAR’S NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION

25

4455 N. 27th St.

282726 29

12th & Q St.70th & A St.

926 P Street

6100 O St. 2702 Pine Lake Rd.800 P St.

4736 Prescott

Thank you forsupporting theNewspapers inEducation (NIE)program in our

community.

With your help,we are teaching

children to improve their learning skillsto battle the localliteracy challenge.

Instructions:• Certificates are sold on a

first call, first serve basis.• One $50 gift certificate

is available for each box.• Only one certificate may be

purchased per phone call.• Only credit card payments

will be accepted.• Please do not call any other

numbers at the Lincoln Journal Star besides thenumber listed here.

• No voice mail messages willbe accepted. Please do notleave messages.

What is NIE?Newspapers in Education (NIE)is a nation-wide program topromote and increase our chil-dren’s literacy by using thenewspaper as a teaching tool.Coordinated by the LincolnJournal Star, NIE is a uniqueway for schools, businessesand the local newspaper towork together in a partnershipthat benefits all of us - now andin the future.

Here’s a great opportunity to save money from your favorite restaurants & retailers, and support literacy efforts at the same time.

PLEASE CALL (402) 473-7354!

27th & Pine Lake Rd.

Danielson FloralCompany, Inc.

127 S. 13th St. 1400 South St. 1681 Van Dorn St.

3130 Pine Lake Rd.

30

31

S. 48th & Hwy. 2N. 48th & Vine St.27th & Superior St.

1550 S. Coddington Ave.84th & Holdrege

Anderson StudioPhotography by

Roger & Ryan Elrod

4680 Leighton Ave.

6000 Woodland Hills Dr.

Anderson StudioPhotography by

Roger & Ryan Elrod

Newspapers in Education (NIE) is a nationwide

program to promote and increase our childrenʼs

literacy by using the newspaper as a teaching tool. Coordinated by the

Log Cabin Democrat, NIE is a unique way

for schools, businesses and the local newspaper

to work together in a partnership that benefi ts

all of us – now and in the future.

Purchase a $50 gift certifi cate for only $35 Purchase a $50 gift certifi cate for only $35Look in the Log Cabin Democrat on

Thursday, March 17 for the NIE Block Sale ad.

Its̓ a great way to save money from your favorite restaurants, retailers and services, and support literacy retailers and services, and support literacy retailers and services, and supefforts at the same time.

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSESA Scrap AboveAbsolute TansCarpet CenterColeman’s Office SupplyConway Family BowlConway Florist & GiftsConway Regional Fitness CenterDryer’s ShoesEd Camp’sEl ChicoEureka PizzaFazoli’sFirst State Bank

The Fish HouseFletcher Smith’s JewelersGrassroots LawncareHambuchen Home FurnishingsHart’s SeafoodHealing GardenHog Pen BBQJazzerciseJoLaRu Beauty SalonKordsmeier FurnitureLog Cabin DemocratOffice DepotOutback Steakhouse of Conway

Payton Creek Catfish HousePlayworldSolutions Day SpaSporty RunnerStoby’sStuart Holt PhotographyStudio WestSun Rays TanningWal-Mart #5 - Hwy. 65NWorldTree Nutrition

BLOCK SALEGift Certifi cate Gift Certifi cate

BLOCK Gift Certifi cate

BLOCK BLOCK Gift Certifi cate

BLOCK Gift Certifi cate

LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT NIE PROGRAM

Gift Certifi cate

Here’s a great opportunity to save money from your favorite restaurants & retailers, and support literacy efforts at the same time. Read the Journal Star on Saturday, January 22 for instructions.

To find out more about how you can take part in fighting illiteracy in Southeast Nebraska through our NIE program, please call Christina Nevitt, NIE Coordinator, at 402-473-7354 or 800-742-7315, ext. 7354.

Purchase a $50 gift certificate for only $35!

Anderson Studio2951 N. 70 St.

Bruegger’s Bagel Bakery12th & Q St.70th & A St.

Buzzard Billy’s Armadillo247 N. 8th St.

Carlo’s O’ Kelly’s4455 N 27th St.3130 Pine Lake Rd.

Champions Fun Center15th & Cornhusker Hwy.

Chuck E Cheese’s221 N. 66th St.

Danielson Floral Co.127 S. 13th St.

Dillard’s61st & O St.

Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que27th & Pine Lake Rd.

Godfather’s PizzaS. 48th & Hwy. 2N. 48th & Vine27th & Superior1550 S. Coddington84th & Holdrege

Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill/Fireworks210 N. 7th St.710 P St.5900 Old Cheney Rd.

Lincoln Journal Star926 P St.

Olive Garden6100 O St.

Papa John’s Pizza1601 ‘Q’ St., Ste. C623 N. 48th St.4411 N. 27th St.5400 S. 56th St., Ste. 5

Fat Pat’s Pizza/Patty’s Pub838 N. 27tb St.311 N. Cotner Blvd.

Red Lobster6540 O St.

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers2702 Pine Lake Rd.

Risky’s Sports Bar & Grill4680 Leighton Ave.

Rod Kush Furniture Store4911 S. 72nd St. (Omaha)3901 N. 27th St. (Lincoln)

Salon DeJa Vu1681 Van Dorn St.

Sam’s Club4900 N. 27 St.

The Mill800 P St. 4736 Prescott

The Sun Tannery1400 South St.

Tico’s17th & M St.

Wal-Mart (North)4700 N. 27th St.

Woodland Hills Golf Course6000 Woodland Hills Dr.

Yankee Hill Country Club7600 San Mateo Ln.

Newspapers in Education (NIE) is a nation-wide program to promote and increase our children’s literacy by using thenewspaper as a teaching tool. Coordinated by the Lincoln Journal Star, NIE is a unique way for schools, businesses and

the local newspaper to work together in a partnership that benefits all of us - now and in the future.

B L OC K S A L ETHE JOURNAL STAR’S NEWSPAPERS IN EDUCATION

T h a n k Yo uP A R T I C I P A T I N G B U S I N E S S E S

Absolute TanA Scrap AboveCarpet CenterColeman’s Office SupplyConway Family Bowling CenterConway Florist & GiftsConway Regional Fitness CenterDryer’s ShoesEd Camp’sEl ChicoEureka PizzaFazoli’sFirst State BankThe Fish HouseFletcher Smith’sGrassRoots LawnCareHambuchen Home FurnishingsHart’s Seafood Restaurant

Healing GardenHog Pen Bar-B-QJazzerciseJoLaRu Beauty Salon & RetailKordsmeier FurnitureLog Cabin DemocratOffice DepotOutback of ConwayPayton Creek Catfish HousePlayworldSolutions Day SpaSporty RunnerStoby’sStuart Holt PhotographyStudio WestSun Rays TanningWal-Mart #5WorldTree Nutrition

BLOCK SALEGift Certifi cateGift Certifi cate

BLOCK Gift Certifi cate

BLOCK BLOCK Gift Certifi cate

BLOCK Gift Certifi cate

LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT NIE PROGRAM

Gift Certifi cate

Log Cabin Democrat’s