Lakewood Camping Resort of Myrtle Beach is sponsoring an essay contest to award 110 families suffering due to unemployment, a free Labor Day Weekend vacation at the resort.

The contest is called "A Labor of Love," and starting August 17th, any Grand Strand/Pee Dee area resident who has been without a job for at least 6 months and is actively looking for a job, can submit an essay describing why his or her family deserves a Labor Day vacation at Lakewood.

Individuals can submit an essay for a friend or neighbor as well.

Typed essays should be 500 to 750 words and can be submitted by email to essay@Lakewoodcampground.com or dropped off at the resort's front desk or mailed to 5901 South Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29575.

All entries will be verified for authenticity.

The deadline is Friday, August 28th, 2009.

Lakewood representatives will read all essays and select 110 winning essays. The winners will be contacted by phone on September 1st for more information.

The vacation will run from Friday, September 4th - Monday, September 7th.

Winning families will be provided with a Lakewood campsite and will enjoy amenities such as a private beach area for Lakewood guests, beachfront playground, indoor heated swimming pool, stocked freshwater lakes, golf cart rentals, and an arcade.

Each winning family will also be given a Family Value Fun Pass which gives family members access to slides, paddle boats, bicycles, kayaks, canoes, etc.

Lakewood will also provide families with a free meal on Saturday and Sunday nights as well as tickets to the resort's show.

Graham Golf Cars has also agreed to provide each family with a golf cart for the weekend.

Winning families will need to bring camping equipment for the site.

"We have been blessed with a great 2009 season and the "Labor of Love" is our way of giving back to our fellow residents of the Grand Strand who have suffered in the economy by the loss of their jobs," said Shannon Gomer, Lakewood Camping Resort. "Labor Day Weekend traditionally signals the end of the summer and the start of the new school year. We want to help 110 families make a fresh start this fall."