Professional News

UK United Way Campaign Kicks Off Next Week

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 8, 2021) — The University of Kentucky has partnered with United Way of the Bluegrass to kick off its annual campaign, “Live United,” on Monday, Oct. 11, and will run through Friday, Oct. 29.

For 100 years, United Way of the Bluegrass has united the full force of the community to fight for the basic needs, education and financial stability of every person in Central Kentucky. Although the pandemic has presented many challenges, United Way has fought quickly and fiercely to combat the negative impact COVID-19 could have had on our community. More than $1.2 million in funds additional to their annual campaign has been invested in local COVID-19 relief efforts and these funds have provided increased access to food and other basic needs, prescription and health care assistance, transportation, child care and emergency rent and utility assistance.

WayPoint centers are the newest United Way initiative and have allowed United Way to have a physical presence within the neighborhoods that need them the most. The goal is to provide services that are custom tailored to the needs of those communities and give families the empowerment to move forward from hardships and challenges.

As a university we raised over $203,000 last year and made a vast impact on the work being done within United Way of the Bluegrass. Our goal is to raise $224,000 during our 2021 campaign, and can easily be surpassed with your help.

This year we will be giving away to sets of Big Blue Madness tickets during the first week of the campaign! Anyone who is currently enrolled (and continues their contribution) in United Way payroll deductions will be entered for the drawing for the first set of tickets. Anyone who enrolls in payroll deductions between Monday, Oct. 11, and end of business on Thursday, Oct. 14, will be entered in a drawing for the second set of tickets.

For payroll deductions, employees can easily enroll through the myUK portal. To make a payroll deduction or pledge simply visit myUK and click on the Employee Self Service tab to begin a United Way pledge.

Additionally, individuals can donate via cash or check, payable to United Way of the Bluegrass or complete a credit card donation at http://uwbg.org.

For more information, including campaign updates and resources, please email uk-unitedway@uky.edu or visit www.uky.edu/UW.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.