A Frankfort, Ill., jeweler is holding an essay contest for
Mother’s Day, with the grand prize of a 14k gold diamond pendant valued at
$350.

Tony D’Ortenzio, owner of Distinctive Gold Jewelry, was inspired to create the Mother’s That
Rock contest last month.
“There’s a lot of hardships going on out there and we want to give back to our
community,” D’Ortenzio tells JCK.

The contest asks for 300-word or less essay entries written
about someone’s mother or spouse. “We’re accepting anything that people want to
send, whether it’s a sentence or 500 words. They can write in crayon or
misspell as long as they get their point across,” he says.

The contest runs through May 3 and is open to Illinois and North West Indiana residents only. D’Ortenzio says he plans
to give 200 pairs of sterling silver cubic zirconia earrings valued at $25 for
those who don’t win the grand prize. “When you write about something so
personal as your mother, how can you not have them win something?”

The store is promoting the contest through newspapers,
social media, and in-store. Currently, 25 entries have been received.
D’Ortenzio says this year is the first time he’s run the contest.

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