A European chocolate company has partnered with the Emily Post Institute in a contest that rewards good deeds or acts of kindness.

Merci Finest Assortment of European Chocolates is asking people to nominate kind-hearted people in a 150 essay discussing why their candidate should be the winner. The essays can be entered at NationalThankYouDay.com.

The grand-prize winner receives a prize worth up to $20,000 that is personally selected by his or her nominator.

Peggy Post, the etiquette expert and best-selling author, will present the winner with the prize on the first National Thank You Day, Sept. 24. Post and Merci founded National Thank You Day.

First prizes (100): a signed book from Peggy Post and a 14 oz. box of Merci Finest Assortment of European Chocolates. Approximate retail value = $29.94 each. Prizes will be awarded to the nominees.

All nominators who submit an eligible entry receive two boxes of Merci Finest Assortment of European Chocolates.