Bloomington, IN. - April 28, 2009 - Twisted Limb Paperworks, a sustainable recycled handmade paper and invitation company based in Bloomington, IN, is now accepting applications for its first annual Tikkun Olam Service Award. The award will recognize the 12-13 year old student nationwide who designs a service project that offers both the most creative and most impactful solution to an environmental or social problem. Tikkun Olam, the Hebrew term for repairing or healing the world, is an important tenet in the Jewish faith and refers to the service project pre-teens and teens do as part of the preparations for becoming a bat or bar mitzvah.

The award winner will receive:

• 100 Twisted Limb handmade 100% recycled invitations and 100 thank-you notes for her or his bat/bar mitzvah, up to a $1250 value.
  
• A handmade beautifully framed certificate recognizing her or his achievement.
  
• Recognition through a nationwide press release, www.greenmitzvot.com, and the Twisted Limb website, blogs, and facebook page.

• Be 12-13 years old and preparing to become a bat/bar mitzvah in the fall of 2009 or at any point in 2010.
  
• E-mail a 1-2 page essay outlining their project, goals, methods, and why this particular project is important to them to: info@twistedlimbpaper.com by June 30, 2009.
  
• Give their name, address, phone, e-mail and synagogue at the top of the essay.

"We have been hearing from our mitzvah customers for many years about the wonderful service projects young people are doing. Since environmental conservation and social responsibility are important missions of our company, this is the perfect way for us to encourage and reward teens for actually getting out there and making a difference," Sheryl Woodhouse-Keese, founding artist and owner of Twisted Limb Paperworks says. "Some of our past customers have collected shoes or books for children in developing countries, worked with their friends at a food bank, or raised money for organizations fighting climate change. At a time when things are tough and it's easy for people to feel discouraged, I think it's important to talk as much as possible about what’s right in the world and to highlight positive things others are doing, especially young people. I know that these stories inspire me and my staff. We love hearing about them."

While she has been creating mitzvah invitations for the past ten years, Woodhouse-Keese is not Jewish herself, and approached a couple of business colleagues with her idea. Kate Harrison, founder of www.greenmitzvot.com and Gail Greenburg of www.mitzvahchic.com readily embraced the award opportunity and offered useful suggestions and support. Kate Harrison, who has been promoting Twisted Limb Paperworks at her first venture, www.thegreenbrideguide.com agreed to promote the recipient's project at greenmitzvot.com. "I think that this award is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the difference young people can make in their lives and communities and I’m thrilled to be able to participate."

Twisted Limb Paperworks colorful paper is created from used office paper, grocery bags, grass clippings from their field, ferns collected from their woods, and water recycled from the studio's air conditioner and dehumidifier. The invitation envelopes and cardstock postcards paired with Twisted Limb's handmade 100% recycled paper is also 100% Post Consumer Waste recycled processed chlorine free, and manufactured carbon neutral. The business’s entire operations are carbon neutral and 22% of annual profits are donated to environmental and community groups. In addition to a solid ethic of sustainability, the art studio is known for its extensive design and color selection and large range of prices. Families can peruse styles, do-it-yourself kits, green bat/bar mitzvah tips, and request a catalog and free sample at www.twistedlimbpaper.com. Details about the award application can be found at www.twistedlimbpaper.com/tikkunolamaward.htm.

Twisted Limb Paperworks, LLC

Twisted Limb Paperworks, LLC

Twisted Limb Paperworks creates handmade 100% recycled paper and turns it into wedding and special event invitations, business promotions, holiday greetings, school fundraising products, and memorial cards. Their products are made with living wages at their carbon neutral studio in the USA with used colored office paper and recycled water. 22% of annual profits are donated to environmental and community groups.

More from Twisted Limb Paperworks, LLC