It’s time for little artists in Tooele County to pick up those paints, colored pencils, markers and crayons and create a holiday masterpiece, because the 18th annual Tooele County Christmas Coloring Book contest is back.

Roughly 14,500 copies of this year’s coloring book will be included in today’s edition of the Transcript-Bulletin, as well as distributed to local schools next week.

The contest is open to two different age groups: 5 and under, and 6 to 10 years old. Each page in the coloring book is sponsored by one of 48 participating merchants. In order to be considered for judging, colored pages need to be received by the merchant whose name is at the bottom of the page by Saturday, Dec. 20. One entry per store per child will be allowed.

Each business will individually judge the entries and give out prizes. Thousands of dollars in prizes will be distributed this year.

Time is running out to nominate a family in need for the Tooele Transcript-Bulletin Christmas Benefit Fund. Please take the time to look around for those less fortunate in the community and let the Transcript-Bulletin know how our readers can help ease their plight.

All nominations should include a thorough description with clear details of hardships faced by a family or individual, as well as an explanation of how the fund could benefit them this Christmas season.

Please send nominations by Dec. 5 to the Tooele Transcript-Bulletin Christmas Benefit Fund at P.O. Box 390, Tooele, Utah, 84074; or e-mail nominations to tbp@tooeletranscript.com with the words “Benefit Fund” in the subject line.