WUKY and the Kentucky Blood Center Present 'Operation Pumpkin'
Lexington, Ky. (Oct. 10, 2011) — The University of Kentucky's NPR station, WUKY, and the Kentucky Blood Center are partnering to offer a month-long event called “Operation Pumpkin” to raise awareness about the need for blood products in Central Kentucky. The awareness campaign wants to emphasize how blood donors can help save lives.
Operation Pumpkin has several facets and fun events taking place during the month of October that will bring a smile to the faces of children while sending a message to adults about the importance of blood donation.
Pumpkin carving/decorating events are planned for the month. The first will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Lexington Farmer’s Market. Patrons of the market will be able to decorate pumpkins donated by the market and local growers. These pumpkins will then be given to under privileged youth or taken to local hospitals that serve children. The following Saturday, Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Operation Pumpkin will be at Keeneland Racetrack. The pumpkin decorating at Keeneland will include foam pumpkins that the young race attendees will use for their artistic talents. They will create their masterpieces and then donate their artwork to decorate the halls and rooms of the hospitals that have children’s facilities in the area.
The culminating event will be "Halloween in Gratz Park." This entertaining event will take place 7-10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. The guests of Operation Pumpkin’s Halloween in Gratz Park will be haunting the historic Bodley-Bullock House at 200 Market Street in Lexington, Ky. The night will include live entertainment, spooky good food, and spirits of all types. Attendees can dress to impress or frighten in an attempt to win the best costume contest, and they can help raise funds by bidding on several pumpkins decorated by local celebrities. Tickets may be purchased by going to www.wuky.org or www.kybloodcenter.org. Tickets are $45 each or $75 per couple.
Operation Pumpkin is also sponsored by UK HealthCare and WTVQ.
MEDIA CONTACT: Gail Bennett, WUKY, (859) 257-7049