Big Blue Goes Crimson

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LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 28, 2011) – Last night, UK students watched as a massive tornado struck Tuscaloosa, Ala., a college town much like Lexington. As images and videos of the devastation began appearing on television and social media, students on campus began to think about what they could do to help.

“The stories of homes torn apart, death and destruction and lives turned upside down are heartbreaking especially when it affects a school and community so close to us,” Ryan Smith, student body president, said. “When you see this type of devastation you naturally think of ways to help and aid in the recovery process.”

“Watching the news last night and reading Twitter and Facebook postings, we learned firsthand about the unbelievable acts of heroism and sacrifice individuals across the South made to help one another,” Smith continued. “Life is about serving others and helping out when the time comes. This is an opportunity to help a member of our SEC family and we’re here to do what we can to make this time easier for some struggling to recover.”

UK Student Government Association (SGA) and the UK chapter of Wrap Up America have partnered together to provide blankets and donations to those in need in Alabama.

For a donation of just $3, a blanket will be donated to a person in need. To give, visit wrapupamerica.org and click on the “Wrap Up America – University of Alabama” link.

“This is not just a way for UK students to help, but for anyone across the country who wants to give to those in Alabama impacted by the storms,” Smith said.

Wrap Up America is an organization whose mission is to bring awareness and support to the homeless and underprivileged communities across America. Less than a year old, Wrap Up America has chapters on seven college campuses with the University of Kentucky chapter chartering in 2010 and becoming a registered student organization in the fall 2011.

Students interested in being a part of Wrap Up America’s UK chapter should contact Grant Mills at grant@wrapupamerica.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Katy Bennett, (859) 257-1754, ext. 255; katy.bennett@uky.edu

WRAP UP AMERICA CONTACT: Grant Mills, (502) 330-5390; grant@wrapupamerica.org