Rainbow Connection art contest open to all Tusc county students

The Tuscarawas Society for Children & Adults, better known as the Rainbow Connection, announced its first Telethon Art Contest for students in Tuscarawas County.

Open to children of all ages, the competition asks artists to create works that illustrate the organization’s mission of meeting the healthcare needs for the disabled and disadvantaged residents of Tuscarawas County. Artwork should not include writing.

Each artist is asked to include a $1 donation with his/her entry, and there is no limit on the number of entries per individual. Entry forms are available at local libraries, schools and at www.tuscrainbow.org. The deadline to submit artwork is Friday, Dec. 15.

Ten winners will have their photo included on billboards promoting the telethon and their design featured on the Rainbow Connection social media accounts and printed correspondence. Winners also will be invited to appear on-air during the 2024 telethon.

The grand prize winner will have his/her artwork displayed on billboards and will receive a canvas of his/her artwork. A canvas with his/her work also will be sold during the auction.

The 2024 Rainbow Connection Telethon will be live at Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School on Sunday, March 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and can be watched at www.tuscrainbow.org, on Spectrum Cable Channel 15 and on the LBN app.

Over the last five years, the Rainbow Connection has paid for nearly $1.7 million in medical expenses and community projects for Tuscarawas County residents, covering everything from hearing aids, prescription costs and prosthetics to sensory equipment, handicapped accessibility in public places and medical bills for those struggling to make ends meet. Of those funds, more than $350,000 was awarded to Tuscarawas County schools and organizations that support them.

Executive Director Perci Garner said, “At Rainbow Connection we are proud to say that every single dollar raised at our telethon is used to pay for medical expenses for our community’s disadvantaged and disabled. When I took this job, I thought raising money would be the tough part, but it turns out giving it away is. We thank our schools and libraries for so many things but most importantly for allowing us to assist community members through these initiatives and for helping us spread the word about our work.”

Visit www.tuscrainbow.org or call 330-343-8686.