Official Rules
About Hearts for Heroes
Design a card. Honor a hero.
Students in grades K–12 are invited to create an original Hearts for Heroes card honoring deployed U.S. service members. Fifteen finalists will be selected—five in each grade category—and the public will vote for the winning designs!
Submissions open October 1–30, 2026 | Public voting November 4–13 | Winners announced November 18
Create. Vote. Send.
- Young artists create the cards
- The public chooses the favorites
- Winning designs become part of the 2027 Hearts for Heroes campaign AND winners will receive an opportunity to contribute $2,500 to a military charity of their choice
About and Grade Requirements
K–5 ELEMENTARY
Young artists create an original card that communicates gratitude, encouragement, hope, or appreciation for a deployed service member
6–8 MIDDLE SCHOOL
Students can use hand-drawn art, illustration, photography, typography, or approved digital design tools to share a meaningful message
9–12 HIGH SCHOOL
Students are encouraged to create polished, original artwork that could be reproduced as an official Hearts for Heroes card
How It Works
Important Dates
| DATE | WHAT HAPPENS |
|---|---|
| October 1, 2026 | Contest opens |
| October 30, 2026 | Last day to submit a design |
| November 4, 2026 | Finalists announced and public voting opens |
| November 4–13, 2026 | Public voting period |
| November 11, 2026 | Veterans Day voting spotlight |
| November 13, 2026 | Voting closes |
| November 18, 2026 | Winners announced online |
| 2027 (DATE TBD) | Winning designs featured in Hearts for Heroes |
Who can enter?
What should your card say?
- Students enrolled in grades K–12
- Three competition categories: grades K–5, 6–8 and 9–12
- Entrants must meet all eligibility requirements in the official rules
- One eligible entry per student is recommended for this campaign
- No purchase or payment is required to enter
- Your design should help a deployed service member feel remembered, appreciated, encouraged, or connected to home
- Please create a design appropriate for service members from any branch
- Avoid copyrighted characters, brand logos, political messages, weapons imagery, or content that may be divisive or inappropriate
Content Guidance
Please create a design appropriate for service members from any branch – Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard and Marines. Avoid copyrighted characters, brand logos, political messages, weapons imagery, or content that may be divisive or inappropriate.
Design and File Requirements
Ready To Enter?
For security, entrants should upload only JPG/JPEG/PNG or PDF image files through the approved system below. Do not email artwork attachments to Adecco Group employees.
Parental Guardian Consent
A parent or legal guardian must complete the required consent form for participants under the age of 18.
Because this challenge includes children, a parent or guardian will be asked to verify the student’s eligibility and provide the permissions required by the official rules.
How finalists are selected
Eligible designs will be reviewed using the following proposed criteria. Final percentages are subject to the official rules.
CRITERIA
WEIGHT
CONSIDERATIONS
Message and meaning
Creativity/originality
Connection to Hearts for Heroes
Visual impact/replication
30%
25%
25%
20%
Does the design communicate gratitude, encouragement, connection, or appreciation?
Does the student’s work feel distinctive and authentically their own?
Would the design resonate with a deployed service member?
Can the artwork work effectively as a digital or printed Hearts for Heroes card?
Five finalists will be selected in each grade category: K–5, grades 6–8 and grades 9–12
Public Voting
Beginning on Wednesday, November 4th, the fifteen finalist designs will be featured in the contest gallery. The public will have the opportunity to vote through Sunday, November 13.
Voting rules, frequency, identity verification, tie-breaking, and fraud-prevention controls will be governed by the official rules and the approved contest platform.
Email verification required to submit voting. One vote per category is permitted.
Prizes and Recognition
Winning designs may be featured as official Hearts for Heroes card designs in 2027, subject to verification, required releases and the official rules linked below.
Official Rules
This page is a campaign overview of the rules that govern eligibility, entry requirements, judging, public voting, prizes, intellectual-property permissions, privacy, winner verification and all other contest terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearts for Heroes?
Hearts for Heroes is a long-standing Adecco Group US Foundation initiative aimed at honoring deployed service members through personalized Valentine’s Day cards. Together, we leverage our network of colleagues and communities to send Valentine’s Day cards to deployed service members, bringing a touch of home overseas.
Who can enter?
Students in grades K–12 who meet the eligibility requirements in the final official rules.
Does my child need to be a professional artist?
No. The challenge is designed for young creators of all skill levels. Hand-crafted and approved digital artwork are welcome.
Can younger children participate?
Yes, subject to the final official rules. For children under 18, a parent or guardian is required to submit the entry on the child’s behalf.
Can we submit hand-drawn artwork?
Yes. Scan or photograph the artwork clearly, crop the image so the card fills the frame, and submit it as a JPG/JPEG/PNG or PDF.
Can students use AI-generated artwork?
Recommended policy: fully AI-generated artwork is not eligible; ordinary digital design tools may be used as permitted by the official rules.
Can we use military branch logos or seals?
Students should avoid official seals, insignia, trademarks, copyrighted characters, or other protected imagery unless expressly permitted.
How many entries can a student submit?
One entry per eligible student.
How are finalists selected?
Eligible designs are reviewed using the published judging criteria. Five finalists will be selected in each grade category.
How does public voting work?
Voting will run November 4–13 using the approved contest platform. Final voting mechanics will be described in the official rules.
When will winners be announced?
Winners are scheduled to be announced on November 18, 2026, subject to verification.
What happens to the winning designs?
Winning artwork will become official Hearts for Heroes card designs used in the 2027 campaign, as described in the official rules.
Who owns the artwork?
Artists retain copyright while granting the campaign the rights needed to display, reproduce, promote, and use eligible winning artwork.
How will children’s privacy be protected?
The campaign should collect only the information required to administer the contest and should not publicly display unnecessary personal information. The final privacy notice and consent process will govern data collection and use.
Who can I contact with questions?
Reach out to our team at “Info Adecco Group Foundation US” Info@adeccogroupfoundationUS.org.
