It’s that time! The numbers are in, counted and counted again from Facebook and mostly email submissions. We had so many amazing entries and incredibly creative kids showing us how kind their imaginations can be. It goes to prove that if we give kids – of any age – the opportunity to use their creativity and their passion for kindness, they exceed our expectations in their ability to freely give and help.

And with that may we have the drum roll please……the winner is………

Butch the Brave Bulldog by Adam, age 10. Adam said that his character would help wounded military as they came home by tending to their needs with not things but rather compassion, time, love and optimism for their future. Butch knows that even though he is a dog and doesn’t have money he could help these vets in so many other ways through time, love and appreciation.  His inspiration is his Dad who is a Marine and has been deployed several times. His charity is the Wounded Warrior Project which is a “veterans service organization that offers a variety of programs, service and events for wounded veterans of the military actions following the events of September 11, 2001.”

Our first runner up was Duke the Duck

Duke was sent in by Amy Kehoe, age 13. Duke “wants all his animal friends to have the chance to have a happy and safe family like he does”. This is why he supports ASPCA or the “American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Duke is a shy duck who had to move away from his pond away from his friends. At his new school other animals wouldn’t allow him to sit with them because he was not a hippo, dog or cat. He came across Dylan & Delany at another table and they became fast friends!

Lastly, our second runner up is Dakota the Giraffe.

Dakota champions the Free Wheelchair Mission after an accident he had on the soccer field that left him in a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. He is special because he saw that even though he cannot walk, there are endless possibilities for a little giraffe with big dreams.

Currently in production is the Dylan & Delany book with our new illustrator, former Disney and Warner Brothers artist, Dean Salamone. Here are some of the current sketches being done for the book.

Our winner will get to choose either $1000 prize in a college fund or to donate it to his favorite charity. Our second runners up will receive a copy of Dylan & Delany’s book later this year.

A big thanks to all the submissions. They are all amazing in their own right!

Don’t forget that this week is Random Act of Kindness Week. Click this link for simple ideas for home, work, or school or click here for our easy, free February kindness challenges for kids of all ages to give back.

Have a wonderful week!

~ISP