M.V. Community Services launches license-plate design contest

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Martha’s Vineyard Community Services is sponsoring a design contest for a new Island license plate. —Courtesy of Martha's Vineyard Community Services

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) is sponsoring a campaign to create a Martha’s Vineyard specialty Massachusetts license plate. The Registry of Motor Vehicles sponsors a program through which nonprofit organizations can raise money when drivers purchase specialty license plates, for example the Cape and Island license plates.

To begin the campaign, MVCS is sponsoring a design contest open to all ages, Island residents and visitors, and to professional and amateur artists and graphic designers.

State law requires MVCS to collect 1,500 applications in order for the plates to be manufactured. Drivers would pay the standard registration cost of $60 plus a $40 special-plate fee. Revenue generated from the Island plate will help fund the five MVCS programs that serve 6,000 Islanders every year, according to a press release.

“We are excited to have this opportunity to generate a new source of funding,” Julie Fay, executive director of MVCS, said in a press release. “If we’re able to build enough interest and obtain the required number of applications, this plate could have a lasting effect on the Vineyard community.”

The deadline for submitting a design is noon, Oct. 31. Submission instructions are available at the MVCS web site. The winning design will be announced by late November. The winning designer will win a $200 gift certificate from the MVCS Thrift Shop, and will be issued one of the first Island license plates.
For more information, contact Mary Korba at mkorba@mvcommunityservices.com.