For seven years, United Way of Hernando County has challenged young area artists to capture the spirit of the holiday season, and of the community, in the borders of a beautiful colored festive image. And once again local kids are encouraged to color some cheer into the holidays, via their submissions in the United Way of Hernando County’s 7th Annual Holiday Coloring Contest.
United Way of Hernando County’s 7th Annual Holiday Coloring Contest is now open. United Way is encouraging all enrolled Hernando County students from Kindergarten through 5th grade, including Hernando County Schools (HCS), private schools, Hernando eSchool, and homeschooled students, to enter the Holiday Coloring Contest for a chance to see their colorful creation featured on United Way’s 2021 Holiday Card. The card is sent to more than 200 Community Partners, Partner Agencies, Board of Directors, local businesses, and more. The Coloring Contest will run now until November 30th. “United Way’s Holiday Card Coloring Contest actually began back in 2015. The local elementary and K8 schools loved it so much that it became an annual effort to motivate creativity and joy in young students. Each year we try to choose a fun coloring sheet for the children to complete that inspires their ‘Live United’ spirit,” said Dominique Holmes, Community Outreach Director of United Way of Hernando County.
Five Hernando County students whose creative work embraces the “Live United” spirit will see their artwork selected to represent them and their school. As a “thank you” for the student’s artistic work, each winner’s family will receive a Holiday Card in the mail as well as a special prize. The Winners’ teachers also will receive copy paper and school supplies for their classroom. “United Way staff then surprises the teachers of the winning students with a personal delivery of copy paper and a box of school supplies as a thank you for participating,” said Holmes. “We also send cards to the students’ school and home so the winning students can show off their artwork. Families reach out each year thanking us for helping their child embrace their expressiveness.”
This year’s featured image is a whimsical portrait of what seems to be Santa Claus’ beach retreat; one that comes complete with a Santa hat and sunglasses, a reindeer-patterned and beribboned beach umbrella lined with festive lights, a Christmas tree sandcastle, seashell ornament balls, wrapped gifts, and a cooler marked Live United. Up in the sky, Santa can be seen guiding his reindeer on what is sure to be a joyful Yuletide adventure.
Contest Requirements:
- Must be a Hernando County student
- Child must be a Kindergarten through 5th grade student
- Student can be enrolled in HCS, private school, Hernando eSchool, or homeschooled
- The coloring contest page must be fully colored
- Front and back must be completed
- Colored copy must be submitted by 11/30/21
“Our Community Partners love receiving the colorful, customized holiday cards in the mail each year and have let us know the joy it brings to their office for the Holidays,” said Holmes. “The United Way Staff loves to watch the submissions grow from year to year and we are proud of the level of participation this annual effort has received.”
Submit all colored artwork to the United Way of Hernando County office located at 4028 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606, or email [email protected].
To download United Way’s Coloring Contest page, or for more information, visit www.UnitedWayHernando.org/ColoringContest.
