Addison Township has a lot of notable features that help define it.

It has the scenic 460-acre Lakeville Lake filled with boaters and fishermen.

It has a historic cemetery that serves as the final resting place for a soldier from the American Revolution.

It has the Polly Ann Trail, a mill built in the 19th century and five stretches of gravel road designated as Natural Beauty Roads.

But, the one thing Addison doesn’t have is a logo.

Township officials are hoping to change that and they’re asking for the public’s help.

Last week, Addison announced its conducting a logo contest that’s open to adults and children, residents and non-residents.

Entries will be accepted from July 1 through 5 p.m. Sept. 30. Each entry must consist of two identical logos, both on an 8½ x 11 sheet of paper – one larger drawing formatted to fit the page and a second, smaller drawing formatted to a 3 x 3 size. Entries that do not include two identical logos will be disqualified.

A person is allowed to submit multiple entries, but each must be accompanied by a separate entry form.

All entries will be reviewed and judged by the township board. Officials are expected to make a decision by Jan. 31, 2020 or sooner. The winner will receive $200 while the runner-up will get $50.

Clerk Pauline Bennett believes the contest will be “fun” and hopes it will “bring the community together.”

“I am very excited (about) the contest and look forward to viewing many logos,” she said.

The township is seeking “a logo that represents and captures the spirit” of Addison, “a rural and family-oriented community,” according to the contest guidelines.

For the purposes of the contest, a logo is defined as a “recognizable and distinctive graphic design, stylized name, unique symbol or other device for identifying an organization.”

“It’s time to have a logo like everybody else,” said Supervisor Bruce Pearson. “Every township, city and village has some sort of a logo and a motto.”

Pearson believes having a logo will help give Addison a strong sense of “identity” and serve as a source of community “pride.”

The logo could end up being used in government communications and on township stationery, signage and maybe a flag.

Officials are hoping to get many entries from local youth. Pearson said kids today can be “ingenious” when it comes to things like this.

“They’re just so smart now,” he said. “They might come up with something really catchy.”

“It will be interesting to see how we view Addison Township, especially through (the eyes of) our youth,” Bennett said.

Entries can be mailed to Addison Township, Attention: Clerk Pauline Bennett, 1440 Rochester Rd., Leonard MI 48367 or sent via email to pbennett@addisontwp.org.

All submissions must contain an official entry form, which can be obtained by visiting www.twp.addison.mi.us.