LOUISVILLE, Ky. — You can win money for contributing a helpful idea to curb gun violence in Louisville by entering a new competition.
On Wednesday, July 5, Congressman Morgan McGarvey announced the "Curbing Gun Violence in Jefferson County" competition is now open.
The prize was originally $1,000, but during a press conference on Wednesday, several people pledged additional money, adding up to a total of $4,000.
The now $4,000 prize will be awarded to the person who submits the best new idea, or a new twist on an old idea, to curb gun violence in our community.
The Crescent Hill Community Council is sponsoring this competition.
Maryanne Elliott, Tommy Elliott's wife, joined the group and spoke publicly for the first time since her husband was shot and killed at Old National Bank.
"My experience with gun violence started on April 10th when four bullet holes ripped through my husband's body, and created that familiar dark cavernous hole called grief that is so dark, that sometimes I do struggle to breathe and sometimes feel like I'm toppling over a building freefalling," she said.
Elliott spoke to encourage others to join the initiative.
"I know that I have to do something. I just don't know exactly what that is. Because unfortunately, I'm not unique. I'm not special. I'm not different in that we have all too much of it," she said.
Each idea must follow the rules of submission below and all entries must include the official submission form attached.
Rules of submission in the Curbing Gun Violence competition:
- Your ideas for curbing gun violence in Jefferson County must be typed with minimum 10 point font and no more than one page total, or 500 words in length.
- The winning idea should include three "action steps" to implement the idea.
- The winning idea must be "do-able" with the resources available to Jefferson County.
- The winning idea may be a new idea, or a fresh look at an old idea.
- Any person from anywhere, and of any age can win.
Organizers encourage school-age children, young adults, and people in Assisted Living, nursing homes, etc. to submit their ideas.
"We have to do something to end gun violence now. So we're asking for your help. There isn't necessarily one solution. But the best solution is when we all come together and exchange these ideas, no matter where you live in our community, to say enough is enough, we are going to put an end to gun violence," McGarvey said.
The official submission form can be found at the Crescent Hill Branch Library in Louisville or online on the Crescent Hill Community Council Facebook and website.
Entries will be accepted from July 5 to midnight Oct. 4. The submissions will be analyzed by a panel of 11 impartial judges, according to a news release.
The $4,000 prize will be awarded to the winner on Jan. 4, 2024.
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