OFFICIAL ENTRY FORM

Official Rules: By participating in the Merchandiser Newspapers' Helping Hand Sweepstakes entrants agree to be bound by these Offi cial Rules. The Sweepstakes is only open to legal residents of DC, MD, VA, PA, NJ, NY and CT. Entrants must be at least 18 years old at time of entry. Sweepstakes begins April 28, 2008. Five entrants will be randomly selected by a representative of the Merchandiser Newspapers ("Sponsor") from correctly completed entries postmarked by May 16, 2008. Sponsor is not responsible and assumes no liability for any entries that are late, lost, misdirected, undeliverable, illegible, damaged, incomplete, postage due or otherwise undeliverable. Mechanical reproduced or photocopied entries will not be accepted. Entry limitation: Maximum of one entry per person, per day during the contest period, regardless of method of entry. All entries must be mailed in separate outer envelopes bearing postmarks. All entries are the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. Entrants may only win once. Employees of Sponsor and their immediate family members are not eligible. No purchase necessary. Offi cial entry forms may also be obtained by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: The Merchandiser Newspapers, ATTN: Contest Dept., 12900-A Cloverleaf Center Dr., Germantown, Maryland 20874 with a note requesting an entry form. Potential winners will be notifi ed by telephone during regular business hours on or about May 23, 2008. Potential winners will have seven calendar days to claim their prize by telephoning Sponsor. If a potential winner has not properly claimed his/her prize within seven calendar days from the fi rst notifi cation attempt, then such person may be disqualifi ed, in Sponsor's sole discretion, and an alternate winner may be selected. Sponsor will not be liable for unsuccessful efforts to notify a potential winner or for a potential winner's failure to properly claim a prize. Winners will be posted on our website, www.mernews.com, on June 2008. All prizes are awarded "AS IS" without any express or implied warranties of any kind. If Sponsor receives enough correctly completed entries and potential winners properly claim their prizes, all prizes will be awarded. Potential winners will have the option to claim their prize at our corporate offi ce location, 12900-A Cloverleaf Ctr. Dr. Germantown, MD 20874, or it will be delivered by a Merchandiser photographer. No substitutions or exchanges are permitted. Prizes are not transferable. The value of the prize will be taxable as income to the winners and winners are solely responsible for any applicable taxes. Winners must provide their social security numbers for tax reporting purposes. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process. If, for any reason, beyond Sponsor's control, the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Sweepstakes is compromised, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes. By accepting the prize, winners consent to the use of their names, photos, and/or likenesses for publicity/advertising purposes without additional compensation. By accepting a prize, the winner agrees to release Sponsor, its directors, offi cers, employees, and agents from any and all liability, loss or damages arising out of or in connection with the awarding, receipt, use or misuse of the prize or participation in prize-related activities. In no event will Sponsor be liable to the winner for any incidental or consequential damages (including, without limitation, indirect, special, punitive, or exemplary damages) arising out of this Sweepstakes. Winners will be required to sign an affi davit of eligibility and publicity/liability release to receive prizes. If potential winners refuse to execute any consent/release or are determined to be ineligible, such person may be disqualifi ed, in Sponsor's sole discretion, and an alternate winner may be selected. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. In order to receive a prize, you may not be required to purchase goods or services, pay any money or submit to a sales promotion effort. The decision of the judges is fi nal. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Offi cial Rules and the sole and absolute decisions of the Sponsor and waive any right to claim ambiguity in the Sweepstakes or these Offi cial Rules. By participating, each prize winner and entrant also releases, discharges, indemnifi es and holds harmless the Sponsor and its owners, managers, offi cers, directors, employees, representatives and agents from and against any claims, damages or liability due to any injuries, damages or losses to any person (including death) or property of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of any prize or participation in this Sweepstakes. Persons who violate any rule, gain unfair advantage in participating in the Sweepstakes or obtain winner status using fraudulent means will be disqualifi ed. Unsportsmanlike, disruptive, annoying, harassing or threatening behavior is prohibited. Sponsor will interpret these rules and resolve any disputes, confl icting claims or ambiguities concerning the rules or the Sweepstakes in its sole discretion and the Sponsor's decisions concerning such disputes shall be fi nal. If the conduct or outcome of the Sweepstakes is affected by human error, any mechanical malfunctions or failures of any kind, intentional interference or any event beyond the control of the Sponsor, the Sponsor reserves the right to terminate this Sweepstakes, or make such other decisions regarding the outcome as the Sponsor deems appropriate. *The winners will choose from a pre-approved list of accredited charities developed by the Merchandiser Newspapers.