**“Take 10” Turnkey Kit**

**Sample Matte Article**

*Reach out to media outlets in your area and provide editors and reporters with this sample article to help them frame their news stories. Customize this article by including information specific to your challenge and your area’s mail participation rates.*

**<<Name>> Asks You to “Take 10” in 2010 and Participate in the Census**

As the 2010 Census draws near, <<Name>> is partnering with the U.S. Census Bureau to make sure everyone completes and mails back their census form. Participation is important to the future of our community. As a result, <<Name>> is issuing a challenge to everyone living in <<City/State/etc.>> to “take 10” and beat the area’s mail participation rate from Census 2000. 

Taking 10 minutes to complete and mail a census form is the easiest and most efficient method of participation in the 2010 Census. Additionally, mailing back a census form reduces overall costs of conducting the census. For each census form returned by mail, the Census Bureau saves $60-$70, or about $85 million for every one percent increase in mail participation. <<Insert details about challenge>>

**Why Participate in the Census?**

As mandated by the U.S. Constitution, everyone in the United States must be counted in the census. This includes people of all ages, races and ethnic groups; citizens and noncitizens. Conducted every 10 years, the census is more than just a population count. The 2010 Census will present a new portrait of America, showing us how our nation has changed in the past decade and helping to determine what our communities need for the next 10 years.  

Census data provide numerous benefits to the people of this nation and the places we live. For example: 

· Census data are used to reapportion seats in Congress and ensure proper district representation in state and local governments.  

· Every year, the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to tribal, state and local governments based on census data. 

· Information from the census helps determine locations for child-care and senior centers, new roads, hospitals, schools and community centers. 

These and many other benefits are possible with an accurate count in 2010. Participating in the census is one of best ways the people of <<City/State>> can contribute to society and make a lasting difference. 

For more information, visit 2010census.gov. 

**“Take 10” Turnkey Kit**

**Sample Matte Article (continued)**

**What You Should Know [Consider making these next sections a sidebar in the article]**

**Timing**

Census forms will be mailed or delivered to all households in March 2010. Complete the form on behalf of every person living in the residence, both relatives and nonrelatives. Every household should complete their census form upon receipt and return it in the postage-paid envelope. Census workers will visit households that do not return the forms to take the count in person. 

**Confidentiality**

The information you provide on your census form is confidential. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share respondents’ answers with anyone, including other federal agencies and law enforcement entities. All Census Bureau employees take an oath of nondisclosure and are sworn for life to protect the confidentiality of the data. The penalty for unlawful disclosure is a fine of up to $250,000 or imprisonment of up to five years, or both.  

**Assistance**

Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC) will be available to assist those unable to read or understand the census form, and Language Assistance Guides also will be available in 59 languages at all QAC locations. For those with visual impairments, the Language Assistance Guide will be available in large print and Braille. Deaf and hard-of-hearing persons who do not have access to Video Relay Service (VRS) can call the TDD number, 1-866-783-2010. 

For more information, visit 2010census.gov.