California Woman Wins Hickory Springs' EarthCare Challenge

January 26, 2010  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Green on January 27, 2010

After 45 days of photos, tweets and videos and an average of more than 500 weekly fan votes on Facebook, Hickory Springs has announced that a California hairstylist the winner of its EarthCare Challenge.

Laura Dillon of San Bernardino, Calif., beat out five other contestants to win the national competition.

Dillon will be at next week's Winter 2010 Las Vegas Furniture Market Feb. 2, where she will get to select her grand prize€”a collection of EarthCare Inside home furnishings courtesy of Craftmaster Furniture. Her grand prize will carry a retail value of up to $5,000.

Taking place entirely on the Internet on social networking communities Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and EarthCareInside.com, the EarthCare Challenge documented the real, live challenges of six consumers as they abandoned their old ways and adopted eco-friendly upgrades to their home and lifestyle.

"Our congratulations go out to Laura and all of our contestants who shared their personal journeys," said Dwayne Welch, Hickory Springs executive vice president. "The contest showed how simple decisions whether small (turning off lights) or big (opting for solar panels or a high-efficiency toilet), can really get people talking and inspire positive change."

Dillon won the panel of judges over by demonstrating her transformation toward living more sustainably. She banned her family's daily habit of using paper plates, started a recycling regimen in her home, found eco-alternatives to items such as gift wrap, beauty products and lighting, and began riding her bicycle to the market. She also started a vegetable garden in her backyard, among other initiatives, proving how simple changes can help anyone become "eco-chic."

Announced at the October 2009 High Point Furniture Market, The EarthCare Challenge followed the 45-day makeovers of six national finalists beginning in December. Family, friends and social media users around the world participated by becoming a fan of the contest on Facebook and voting for their favorite contestant in exchange for a shot at weekly giveaways. More than 500 fans voted in each week by liking or contributing to contestants' online updates.