HOUSTON, Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Bank today announced that it is hosting a Thanksgiving Art Contest benefitting children currently served by Houston-based non-profit, DePelchin Children's Center. The contest, open to DePelchin children in the Greater Houston area ages 18 and under, gives children the opportunity to win seed money in a protected savings account for creating a drawing or painting depicting "what they're most thankful for this year," along with a 100-word description. Prizes in the contest include $500 savings accounts for the top 12 finalists and an additional $500 for the grand prize winner in each of the four age groups. The public voting period for the contest will take place on Comerica's Facebook page between October 22 and November 4, 2013.  Additionally, in support of DePelchin's mental health, foster care and adoption programs, Comerica is providing an unrestricted $2,000 grant to the organization.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20010807/CMALOGO)

"The upcoming holiday season can be a challenging time for some children, especially those recently adopted, currently in the foster system or dealing with mental health issues. So, we formed a partnership with DePelchin Children's Center to give these kids a fun, creative way to express what they're thankful for, and in the process, give them a chance to earn a headstart on saving for the future," said J. Downey Bridgwater, Comerica's Houston Market President. "We're encouraging the community to vote in this contest and give these children an extra reason to be thankful this Thanksgiving."

Here's how the contest works:

• Children 18 and under currently served by DePelchin Children's Center have been asked to submit a drawing or painting, along with a 100-word description, depicting "what they're most thankful for this year."
• A local panel of judges narrowed down the entries to three finalists in each of four age groups.
• A Facebook voting gallery displaying the 12 finalist entries was launched today, October 22, on Comerica's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ComericaCares).  The public voting period will run through November 4 and any Facebook users across Texas will be able to vote once daily in each of the four ages groups (6 & under, 7-10, 11-14, 15-18).
• The 12 finalists and their families will be invited to Comerica's Annual Thanksgiving Reception in Houston on November 7, where the grand prize winners in each age group will be announced.

"DePelchin turns lives around every day through our mental health, foster care and adoption services, and this partnership with Comerica is giving us the opportunity to have an even greater impact in the lives of the children and families we serve," said Jenifer Jarriel, DePelchin's President and CEO. "Comerica is taking our commitment to children one step further through their generous savings account donations by helping our children secure a strong start financially, greatly impacting their lives now and into the future."

For more information on the contest, please visit www.comerica.com/ThanksgivingArtContest.

About Comerica Bank
Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA) is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, Florida and Michigan, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. To find us on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares. Follow Comerica on Twitter at @ComericaCares and follow Comerica Chief Economist Robert Dye on Twitter at @Comerica_Econ.

About DePelchin Children's Center
DePelchin Children's Center is committed to meeting the needs of children as one of the largest providers of mental health, foster care and adoption services in Texas. Through its clinical expertise and special brand of caring, DePelchin turns lives around, providing a full continuum of care including psychiatric services, counseling, residential treatment, programs for at-risk youths, parent education, foster care and adoption. DePelchin is a not-for-profit organization and gratefully receives its support from individuals, foundations and corporations; government grants and fees; and United Way agencies.  Visit www.depelchin.org to learn more.

SOURCE Comerica Bank