Give Gifts to Kids in the Community Through Circle of Love
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 4, 2021) — As the holiday season approaches, the Office of Student Organizations and Activities (SOA), a part of the Office for Student Success, is gearing up for their annual Circle of Love program. Circle of Love is a program that invites the University of Kentucky staff and faculty community to provide gifts for the holidays for children within in Fayette County Public Schools.
According to May 2021 data from the Fayette County Public School website, 54.4% of students at public schools in Fayette County receive free or reduced lunch. For the past two years, COVID-19 has increased significant burdens on families that are living below the poverty line. During the holiday season, gifts are often a far-off ideal, a luxury that is unattainable. Circle of Love gives members of the UK community the opportunity to spread joy across Lexington.
Circle of Love allows you to sponsor a child this holiday season. This could mean giving them a few gifts or essential clothing items. When you sign up to participate, Circle of Love provides a list of desired items from a child currently enrolled in one of Fayette County’s public schools. If you do not have the resources to sponsor the entire list for a child and/or their siblings, you can also donate individual gifts or purchase gift cards for the children and their families.
If you would prefer to purchase individual gifts, or donate a gift card, you can do so via the Amazon Wish List. These items will be shipped directly to the SOA office and will be distributed amongst different schools and students to fill any gaps that may come up.
Children’s wish lists can be picked up in the SOA office, Suite A154, in the Gatton Student Center, beginning Nov. 1 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Drop off for all gift lists will occur Nov. 29 to Dec. 2 in the Gatton Student Center's Ballroom C. All gifts purchased should be dropped off unwrapped and in bags that are individual to each child. Gift drop off will be from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, with school resource counselors picking up gifts at the end of the week. They will also accept any gift card donations (Walmart, Kroger, Target, Amazon, etc.) and if you would like to include any gift wrapping supplies, you may also drop them off at these times.
For more information, reach out to Abby Ison (abby.ison@uky.edu) in the Student Organizations and Activities office.
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