The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is inviting children from town to help Lord Mayor Betty Disero design a Christmas card.

The mayor will choose her favourite five submissions to be made into cards she will use to send well wishes to every resident in all three of Niagara-on-the-Lake's long-term care facilities.

The contest is open to all children who live or attend school in Niagara-on-the-Lake, up to and including those in Grade 8.

“Christmas is typically a time when we all get together with family and friends to make lifelong memories, but we know that this holiday season may look a little different,” Disero said in a news release Wednesday.

“What better way to ensure that our heroes, the very people who helped build this town, aren’t forgotten than to engage our children in creating unique artwork to help send a beautiful holiday message.”

Submissions should be made on a white sheet of paper, 8.5 by 11 inches, either vertical or horizontal, using any number of colours and should include a name, address and telephone number on the back of the picture.

Deep, dark colours produce a better illustration, the town says.

All submissions must be received via mail or at the dropbox at Town Hall, 1593 Four Mile Creek Rd., Virgil, Ontario, L0S 1T0, by Friday, Nov. 13, at 4:30 p.m.

Full details can be found at notl.com/christmascardcontest.