The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons, aka ARF, is calling upon local students for some PR help for this upcoming holiday season.
The 2025 holiday card contest invites middle and high school students (grades 6-12) to design ARF’s official holiday card, not only to spread good cheer across the Hamptons, but to highlight the dozens of animals waiting for adoption at the East Hampton-based adoption center, located at 124 Daniels Hole Road (631-537-0400).
Whichever design wins “will be professionally printed as ARF’s 2025 holiday card and mailed to ARF supporters across the community,” according to a press release from the adoption center.
For this year’s challenge, presented in partnership with East Hampton’s Golden Eagle art supply store, participants are asked to create a festive design featuring one ARF dog and one ARF cat currently available for adoption. The rules are straightforward and submissions must be original artwork, such as drawings, paintings or digital illustrations, only. All submissions should fit a on 5×7 card (vertical or horizontal). Each piece should focus on themes that combine festive holiday spirit with ARF’s central mission of giving animals a second chance. No AI-generated work will be permitted. Photos and bios for all cats and dogs at ARF are available here for reference.
Prizes, including gift certificates up to $100 to the Golden Eagle and some ARF merch, will be awarded to the top three designs.
Submissions are due before midnight this Friday, Nov. 7. Send them via email to [email protected] and be sure to write “ARF Holiday Card Contest” in the subject line. All submissions must include the student’s name, grade, school and contact information. The winner will be announced on Monday, Dec. 1, with the cards slated for released not long after that.
