Art contest winners are announced
The Rainbow Connection announced the winners of its 2024 Telethon Art Contest. Denisse Ajanel-Cox, a fifth-grader at Dover Avenue, is the grand prize winner and will have her photo and artwork featured on billboards throughout Tuscarawas County.
The nine other Tuscarawas County students who were selected as finalists and will join Ajanel-Cox on air during the telethon and on the billboards are Sophia Cronebaugh, ninth grade, Tuscarawas Central Catholic; Alonna Allan, 10th grade, Indian Valley; Olivia Coollman, ninth grade, Tuscarawas Central Catholic; Kenley Hayes, 11th grade, Newcomerstown; Adelin Mendoza, third grade, Dover; Jaxson McIlvaine, fourth grade, Dover; Kaiden Knopf, fourth grade, Dover; Araceli Herrera Garcia, fifth grade, Dover; and Peyton Huff, fourth grade, Dover. These 10 students were selected by the Rainbow Connection Board of Directors from 120 submissions.
“This year’s art contest has truly been a testament to the creativity and spirit of our community,” said Perci Garner, executive director of Rainbow Connection. “We are thrilled to showcase these talented artists and are excited to see their work featured in our upcoming Telethon event.”
Celebrating 75 years of the Rainbow Connection, the 52nd annual Rainbow Connection Telethon will be Sunday, March 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Tuscarawas Central Catholic High School and can be watched at www.tuscrainbow.org, Spectrum Cable Channel 15 and on their social media accounts.
The Rainbow Connection also hosts an auction each year to support its mission. All 10 art contest winners will have their artwork printed on a canvas and sold during the auction. Visit its website and social media at the beginning of March to place your bid.
Rainbow Connection is still accepting applications for The Rig, an off-road electric device that is built specifically for people with mobility impairments. Constructed with an aluminum frame and 4-inch off-road bike tires, The Rig can travel 10-20 miles on a single battery and is able to transport the individual’s wheelchair on the back. Families of children who are interested in applying for this device can call Rainbow Connection at 330-343-8686. The child must live in Tuscarawas County and be 54-72 inches tall and weigh no more than 225 pounds.
Humble Vending Inc., owned by Kyle Hall, donated the electric mobility device to Rainbow Connection during the 2024 Telethon fundraiser to be used by a Tuscarawas County child who wants to enjoy the outdoors but has limited mobility. The funds were raised for this cause through a breakroom vending machine at ProVia’s Strasburg facility.
During the November and December meeting of its board of directors, the Rainbow Connection awarded $26,929.12 in assistance. Since raising over $328,000 at its March 2024 Telethon, Rainbow Connection has awarded more than $331,000 to Tuscarawas County’s disabled and disadvantaged and the schools and organizations that serve them. Donations for the 2025 Telethon can be made at www.tuscrainbow.org or 119 Third St. NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
If you or someone you know needs support with health-related expenses, call 330-343-8686 or visit www.tuscrainbow.org.