(picture above taken from MT MVD website)
Thus the journey began in August (August 17th to be exact), when renewing our vehicle tabs, I inquired and started the application process for a One Heart Warriors (OHW) Montana specialty license plate.
Being inspired by the trend on state pride (for example, the state of Montana on hats, t-shirts, bumper stickers, wall art, even cookies and cutting boards) I had a good idea of what I wanted the design to look like. I immediately asked my sister Heather for help with the graphics. She put it together in no time and by hard work, determination and the grace of God, we submitted the application August 31st, 2015, the application deadline, exactly two weeks after I was inpired to design a plate.
Then we waited and waited. The state connected a few times with some tweaks on design, font size regulations, alpha-numeric regulations, matching our non-profit identity, etc.
The wait is over and our plate, pictured below and at the top of the post, is officially approved and available for purchase to Montana drivers!
A little bit of the journey...
Some inspiration from a cookie of all things.
One of my original drafts to give my sister for design direction.
The arrow inspiration: The arrow is a big part of not only OHW logo, but overall vision of our non-profit. The arrow represents strength and direction. Our hope and expectation is that each graduate of OHW Leadership Development Program will go out into the world with renewed strength and defined direction.
Some of Heather's original designs below. It was a gruelling decision and I still look at each proof she provided with adoration. I wanted to have more than one license plate. Below was one of Tuff's favorite designs in the process.
Pictured below was one of my favorites. However, in the end we made a marketing decision to make the plate the color and design we believe would appeal to the majority, while maintaining the identity of our non-profit.
My direction to Heather was a strong and simple design and our final plate was exactly that.
This was in early January. The state sent us three final proofs printed on thick poster paper to sign and send back. Tuff was testing out how it looked.
I was the sixth approval signature to finalize the plate!
Wish we could have kept this to frame it but we had to mail it back to the state.
From the Motor Vehicle Division website our plate is listed under Service Organizations and Associations category. Here is the information listed:
One Heart Warriors
$25 Donation to Sponsor
$10 Administration Cost
$10 Production Cost
$25 Renewal Donation
$10 Administration Cost
$10 Production Cost
$25 Renewal Donation
This plate benefits the One Heart Warriors organization. This plate generates funds for leadership development, education courses and mentorship training for Native Americans throughout Montana. Tuff Harris is the founder of One Heart Warriors.
We would love your support of our specialty license plate. We are required to maintain 300 registered/renewed plates a year to keep our plate on the shelves for sale.
Please help spread the word. And if you are not from Montana, consider making a donation to OHW. Donations are tax deductible. Take it from us, we moved our family and shifted careers for this cause. It is a worthy cause or we wouldn't be doing it. You can go online to our website: oneheartwarriors.org to donate or you can mail a donation to:
One Heart Warriors
4435 Palisades Park Drive
Billings, MT 59106
Our adventure continues and its exciting times ahead. Thank you all for staying connected.
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ReplyDeleteI think it deleted my comment! Anyway, awesome, guys!! Congrats! I renew next month. Definitely will support.
ReplyDeleteYay! Thank you! Yes we are also switching from Griz plates.
DeleteWonderful job! Great work you guys are doing as well! Love you and keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteWonderful job! Great work you guys are doing as well! Love you and keep up the good work!
ReplyDelete