Several UK Entities to Benefit from GoodGiving Guide Challenge

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 23, 2015) — The GoodGiving Guide Challenge, a charitable campaign that was started five years ago jointly by Smiley Pete Publishing and the Blue Grass Community Foundation, will again raise money for four University of Kentucky programs. The campaign, which began Nov.13 and goes until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, Dec.31, hopes to raise $2 million for 115 participating nonprofits in Central and Eastern Kentucky. Last year, the campaign raised $1.77 million for 155 charities.

Founded on the ideas of informing the community of the work local nonprofit organizations do, the fundraising program's goal is "to partner with the individuals, businesses, and nonprofits to grow charitable giving that makes our community a better place to live, learn, work and play," said Lisa Adkins, CEO and president of Blue Grass Community Foundation.

Participating in its fifth year of the fundraising program is the UK Art Museum. Part of the UK College of Fine Arts, the museum strives to promote understanding and appreciation of art to enhance the quality of life for the people of Kentucky through collecting, exhibiting, preserving, and interpreting outstanding works of visual art from all cultures. The museum, which is located in the Singletary Center for the Arts, at the corner of Rose Street and Euclid Avenue, is home to a collection of more than 4,800 objects, including American and European paintings, drawings, photographs, prints and sculptures. The UK Art Museum presents both special exhibitions and shows of work from their permanent collection.

Shoulder to Shoulder Global is an organization in need of charitable funds with university ties. The group resides within the UK International Center with the purpose of improving the health and well-being of impoverished and underserved communities globally. The initial focus of the program is in Santo Domingo, Ecuador, where they have a year-round health clinic. Shoulder to Shoulder Global works with the community to improve education, public health, access to safe water, and to improve economic opportunities. Donations they receive help to provide health and education for communities in need, while also allowing an unparalleled learning opportunity for UK students.

Another UK student group that is participating in the drive is the College Mentors for Kids - UK Chapter. The organization's purpose is to help children discover personal interests, skills, and potential careers by focusing on three main areas of development: higher education and career, culture and diversity, and community service. The college students who help mentor these children are powerful role models who teach kids the value of education and inspire them to work harder and reach higher. This year the UK chapter is working with 120 second, third and fourth grade students at Breckinridge and Harrison elementary schools spending up to 40 hours with them participating in on-campus activities.

Returning to the drive for the second year is the Child Development Center of the Bluegrass (CDCB), located at UK. The center's goal is to help children reach their full potential by providing therapy services, preschool and childcare programs that serve children with and without special needs in an integrated setting. The center is located at 290 Alumni Drive.

The GoodGiving Guide Challenge will take donations through Dec. 31. For additional information and a list of all the participating organization, visit www.bggives.org.

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Hale, 859-257-8716; whitney.hale@uky.edu