Northeast Ohio schools vying for $20,000 grand prize in Big Lots video contest

CLEVELAND - Eight northeast Ohio schools are participating in Big Lots' fifth annual LOTS2GIVE video contest to win up to $120,000 in cash prizes.

The contest kicked off Monday with local schools Bedford High School, Carylwood Intermediate School, Columbus Intermediate School, Chambers Elementary School, Shaw High School, Elyria High School, McKinley Elementary School, and Oberlin High School involved.

Each school had to submit a video and an essay describing why their school deserved the extra financial support money.

The contest prizes include one $20,000 grand prize, two $10,000 first-place prizes, four $5,000 second-place prizes and 30 $2,000 third-place prizes.

“The Lots2Give program allows us to connect with schools in need of financial support across the country,” said Steve Fishman, chairman, chief executive officer and president in a news release.

The eight schools submitted their videos at www.biglots.com/ lots2give.

The public can log on to the website to view and vote for the video they liked the best.

The polls opened on Monday and will close on July 8 at 11:59 p.m.

Voters are allowed to vote up to three times a day.

The contest winners will be declared on August 11.

The schools are also a part of an in-store donation program. Customers who shop at participating Big Lots stores are allowed to donate $1 or $5 starting now through July 8.

All of these donations will be sent to the participating schools.