A popular vote will decide which theme will be used to promote the? ?10th anniversary of GALA,? ?the signature fund-raising event of the Edison Ford Winter Estates Foundation that? ?Gulfshore Life Magazine has called? “?the Premier Event of Southwest Florida?” ?in November.?

Individuals may choose one of two entries posted on the foundation’s Web site at? ?www.edisonfordfoundation.org with votes accepted until midnight Friday,? ?Oct.? ?23.?

The two entries range from classic simplicity to creative ingenuity,? ?according to Foundation Director Wanda F.? ?Barr.? ?The winning theme will be used on invitations,? ?programs,? ?and other uses.? ?The winner of the theme contest,? ?as well as the winner of the promotional products category,? ?will receive a? ?$250? ?cash prize and will be special guests of the Foundation at GALA,? ?a black tie event on Friday,? ?Nov.? ?6.? ?Tickets are? ?$200? ?per person,? ?or? ?$1,600? ?per table.

• “?We appreciate everyone who submitted ideas for our first-ever Graphic Artists Contest,?” ?Barr said.? ?The entries show a great deal of creativity in depicting the uniqueness of the Estates as well as the relationship between Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.?”

Barr announced that the graphic design idea submitted by Judy Lynn Mahon of J.L.? ?Design in Naples has been declared the winner in the promotional products category of the Graphic Artist Contest.? ?The design will be illustrated for the first time on a limited edition t-shirt that will be displayed at the Edison Ford Foundation’s GALA on Friday,? ?Nov.? ?6.

A special pre-order price of? ?$15? ?currently is being offered online through November? ?6.? ?T-shirts may be picked up at the Edison Ford Winter Estates Foundation office at the Galloway Ford dealership on Boy Scout Drive beginning November? ?9.? ?The t-shirt price will increase to? ?$20? ?after November? ?6? ?and will be sold throughout the next year,? ?leading up to GALA? ?2010.?

“By purchasing this limited edition t-shirt,? ?it is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the participants and the talent in the Southwest Florida community that have become a part of this legacy and have joined the Foundation in the art of historical preservation,?” ?Barr said.?

Proceeds from the GALA and the t-shirt sales will be used to support the preservation and restoration of the Estates.? ?This year’s initiatives include restoration of the Edison Laboratory.

Founded in? ?1994,? ?the Edison Ford Winter Estates Foundation is a? ?501?(?c?)(?3?) ?non-profit organization dedicated to support preservation and restoration of the Thomas Edison? & ?Henry Ford Winter Estates.? ?The Edison Ford Winter Estates Foundation is the fund-raising arm dedicated to preserving the future of the Estates and the integrity of the property for future generations to enjoy.?

For more information about the contest or GALA,? ?call the Foundation office at? ?239-274-2377? ?or go to news and events at? ?www.edisonfordfoundation.org?