If your child loves to draw, paint, or color, here’s a way that their artwork can not only be recognized throughout the Hudson Valley but they can also learn how important it is to give back to others.

The United Way of the Dutchess-Orange Region is extending the submission deadline for their Children’s Art Contest to celebrate 80 years of providing help to our community. Students who are in grades 1 to 3 in Dutchess and Orange counties can enter with this year’s theme of the 80th Birthday of United Way: How to Make the World Better.

Local, celebrity judges will determine the winner with the help of The Art Effect and Arts MidHudson. The first place winner will see his or her artwork featured on the program cover for the United Way’s annual Celebration of Service Awards dinner on April 25th. Plus, they will be special guests that evening where more than 450 community leaders will be in attendance.

The runner-up will receive a trophy and all finalists will have their artwork on display at the dinner with each contestant given a participation certificate. For more information and the rules, click here. You have until January 22, 2018, to get your little one's art pieces in, so get the paper, pens, markers, and paints and start creating.

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