My husband, Mark, has a briefcase that is older than I can admit, because - of course - it would age him and me! It is a source of contention for my fashion savvy daughters, who view a briefcase as a purse that should be updated regularly. I have unsuccessfully purchased several briefcases to replace the object of shame, but Mark rejected them all. He can be frustratingly sentimental at times.

This year I resorted to more manipulative tactics. I had to target Mark's weakness, and this was diabolically simple. He is putty in my daughters' hands. I feel somewhat guilty at how easy it was. The girls consider shopping a sport so, they were enthusiastically up for the game. The family knew that Mark would use the new briefcase for years to come, so we had to be strategic in regard to style.

The girls found a chocolate brown Kenneth Cole briefcase that looked more like a schoolboy satchel. It was made to carry a laptop but big enough for documents too. We loved it and, of course, he couldn't resist the gift with the girls oohing and aahing over him. It was a closed case - goodbye to old faithful.

Before I could toss the receipt, however, I remembered the sales clerk telling me to enter a contest online. It was the Kenneth Cole Make Your Presents Felt Sweepstakes. The money, I was told, would be directed to the non-profit of the winner's choice. I work for a non-profit organization, Family First, as director of their motherhood program, called iMOM. And I am acutely aware of the demand for our services and the never-high-enough supply of funds. Amazingly and thankfully, I won $10,000!

That $10,000 equates to 100 iMOM Morning program kits to be provided for free to 100 more schools. iMOM Morning is a program which provides an opportunity for moms and kids to get together once a month for breakfast at their child's school. The event includes lively discussion on topics relevant to school age children, fun bonding activities, and provides moms with valuable parenting tips they can take home and put to use immediately.

I am impressed that Kenneth Cole created a sweepstakes to create awareness of more than just fashion. I am also very thankful for the money, which I will have the privilege of seeing joyfully spent to impact the lives of mothers and their children everywhere.