A gift that gives on the rebound

And gets you through life’s fast lanes.

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Support Martha's Vineyard Community Services by ordering a specialty license plate. – MV Times file photo.

Looking for an only-on-the-Vineyard gift for someone? Consider the Island license plate. Not only will it mark you, and your car, as an Islander, but proceeds from its sale go to Martha’s Vineyard Community Services (MVCS) to support their wide range of programs and services. And bonus to the gift giver: The cost is considered a tax-deductible donation.

“We have sold 850 plates so far,” said Mary Korba of MVCS, “which means they will go to print after Jan. 1, 2016. The Massachusetts RMV states it can take up to six months to produce the plates, so we are hopeful they will be on the roads by next summer at the latest.”

Ultimately, MVCS will need to sell a total of 3,000 plates within the next four years to keep the Martha’s Vineyard specialty plate available indefinitely to Massachusetts motorists. Plates are $40 every two years. MVCS is committed to allocating 20 percent of annual proceeds to other Island nonprofits that benefit youth and elders. According to Ms. Korba, if they hit the 3,000-plate goal, MVCS will stand to receive about $120,000 in revenue every two years.

“It truly is the gift that keeps on giving,” she said. “And you can choose your own plate number (with a few restrictions).”

More info at mvlicenseplate.com.