ADVISORY/"Matchbox USA Contest" Awards Westworth Village, Texas $25,000 for Volunteer Fire Department.

Assignment/Feature Editors

ADVISORY...for Monday (April 10)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHO/WHAT: The 12 children who submitted entries to the

"Matchbox USA Contest," will be the envy of every

kid on the block as their town of Westworth Village

is officially declared "Matchbox USA," and the

Westworth Village Volunteer Fire Department is

presented with a Grand Prize check for $25,000 to

help fund the purchase of new equipment and gear.

In response to the question, "Why should your town

be named Matchbox USA?," the children drew pictures

and wrote essays about a tragic fire that, just

over one year ago, took the lives of three area

volunteer firemen and injured two from the

Westworth Village Volunteer Fire Department. The

entries stressed the need for better fire-fighting

equipment which is beyond the financial reach of

Westworth Village.

The $25,000 prize money will be used to help fund

the Volunteer Fire Department.

As part of the Grand Prize, Westworth Village's name

will appear on a collection of 2001 Matchbox

diecast cars, including a police car, school bus,

rescue vehicle, fire truck, and a sanitation 

truck. In addition, the children will receive $500

worth of Matchbox toys, a commemorative plaque,

and a "Welcome to Matchbox USA" road sign that

will posted on the Westworth Village Volunteer

Fire Department.

PHOTO OPPS: The winning children, ages 5 to 15

Ron Brawer, vice president of marketing for Matchbox

Don Day, Westworth Village Fire Department Fire Chief

Prototypes of the Westworth Village, Texas Matchbox Cars

$25,000 check presentation

WHERE: Westworth Village Volunteer Fire Department

Highway 183 and Koldin Lane

Westworth Village, Texas

WHEN: April 10, 2000

11:00 AM (promptly)

Space is limited--Please call to reserve your space.