Kids Tag Art encourages creativity, benefits schools
Embracing and celebrating creativity is the backdrop of the Lee County Tax Collector’s Kids Tag Art program, which is recognizing 104 fifth-grade students in the School District of Lee County for their imaginative designs that will appear on specialty license plates.
The program, now in its fifth year, is a partnership between the Tax Collector’s office and the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. The program encouraged the fifth-grade students to create artwork based on the theme “Fun in the Sun.”
Approximately 3,900 designs were submitted, judged and the top two from the 52 participating Lee County elementary schools are recognized with an “Award of Distinction.” Their winning designs can be displayed on front end license plates and will soon be available for public purchase at leetc.com with 100% of proceeds going to each of the schools.
In the meantime, the public can get their hands on this exciting collection of art as past Award of Distinction designs are available for purchase at each of the Lee County Tax Collector’s offices in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, South Fort Myers, Bonita Springs and Lehigh Acres. The cost is $20 and payable by check made out to The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Inc.
“It’s heartwarming to see how Kids Tag Art inspires so many young minds in our community,” Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart said. “The program shows students how they can apply their art in commerce, as witnessed by all the plate designs we have for sale. This is a program that recognizes the importance of arts in our schools.”
Hart also will honor a student designer with the Tax Collector Choice Award in a surprise ceremony at the student designer’s school. He will display the plate on the front of his truck for the year.
The Tax Collector’s Office also sells sponsorships for the program, raising even more money that goes to help elementary school teachers pay for art supplies. Last year’s program raised $34,400 to support arts in the schools.
Sponsorships are available by calling the Lee County Tax Collector’s Communications Department at 239-533-6060. Call Beverly Burke of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc. at 239-337-0433 for program information.
