Community Outreach

heart #GivingTuesday 2021

Since 2017, UKFCU employees have collected over 13,000 non-perishable food items with our annual food drives. This year's drive looked quite a bit different than in previous years, as we collected monetary donations which were given to A Caring Place, Lexington Rescue Mission, and OWL. During this year's drive, we raised $3,150! We look forward to many more successful food drives to come. If you're interested in learning more about these incredible organizations, we encourage you to visit their website and consider volunteering or donating today.

home UK Federal Credit Union Celebrates Esports Partnership with Open House

The University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union (UKFCU) is excited to announce the open house to celebrate the partnership between UKFCU and the Esports Lounge at the University of Kentucky was an immense success. UKFCU welcomed students, staff, faculty, alumni and local community members to visit the state-of-the-art facility. The open house ran from 4:30-6:30 p.m., though some determined gamers competed until almost 8 p.m. UKFCU President and CEO David Kennedy and UK’s Associate Chief Information Officer Heath Price made remarks about the space and the overall collaboration. UKFCU hosted gaming contests during the event, including Mario Kart and NBA 2K22, with contest winners receiving three hours of playtime at the Esports Lounge.

UKFCU also hosted random prize drawings every 30 minutes, where prizes included gift cards to local establishments and a grand prize of a Nintendo Switch Lite. “Investing in the Esports Lounge is a significant investment in the UK community and the Lexington community as a whole. It’s a natural fit since education is at the heart of what both of our institutions strive to achieve,” said David Kennedy. “For UK, it is academic education, and for UKFCU it is financial education. Both are aimed at preparing our students for success in life.” The partnership between the UK Federal Credit Union and the UK Esports Lounge began in 2019. The UKFCU Esports Lounge is located within the multiuse Cornerstone complex at 401 S Limestone in Lexington.

fire Igniting Financial Literacy

It's no secret that we're serious about financial education. That's why, this year, we're partnering with the Fayette County Public Schools Summer Ignite Program to help bring fun and engaging learning content into the classroom at Winburn Middle School, focusing on core business and financial concepts from budgeting basics to setting up emergency funds. The kids we've worked with have been sincerely invested in getting a head start, and it's been a pleasure to help them understand the fundamentals of business and finance before their journey has fully begun.

We look forward to new opportunities to build and support financial literacy initiatives at the local level in 2021. If you're interested in setting up a financial literacy program for your family, school, church, or community, please do not hesitate to reach out to us on social media or email us at [email protected]. We would love to help you get started with quality resources tailored to specific age groups, needs, and goals.

apple Continuing a New Tradition

Since 2017, UKFCU employees have collected over 13,000 non-perishable food items with our annual food drives. This year's drive looked quite a bit different than in previous years, but that didn't stop us from raising over $2,100 in monetary donations - more than double our $1,000 goal! Non-perishable food items and monetary donations were given to Arbor Youth Services, Lexington Rescue Mission, and OWL. We look forward to many more successful food drives to come. If you're interested in learning more about these incredible organizations, we encourage you to visit their website and consider volunteering or donating today.

#takecare

With so many within our community facing unprecedented challenges this year, we've made it our mission to plant seeds of kindness through our #TakeCare Campaign. We have been humbled by the selfless and passionate individuals who work within local organizations and charities to take care of our community members in need. We wanted to show our gratitude and support for their work, so we started giving back. As we brought goods and supplies to each location, we had the opportunity to meet many incredible people behind these organizations. We were touched by their stories and dedication to helping folks from every corner of our community. 

All it takes is a little care, kindness, and a positive attitude to impact someone around you. Post your acts of kindness or a positive message on social media, and be sure to tag UKFCU and include the hashtag #takecare. We'll do our best to give it a share or retweet! Below are some of the organizations that we were able to support. We understand these are difficult times for many within our community, but if you are in a position to help one of these great organizations, we encourage you to donate today.

• Lexington Humane Society
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass
• The Nest
• Lady Veterans Connect
• Arbor Youth Services
• Believing in Forever
• Blue Grass Farms Charities
• Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass

In response to the impact COVID-19 pandemic was having on our local economy, the UK Federal Credit Union announced that we were starting the UKFCU Restaurant Challenge to help small and local restaurants in our community. Beginning March 24th we committed to spending $50,000 with local restaurants by bringing in lunch for our employees at all of our locations. Over the next 6 weeks, we were not only able to feed our employees, but we were able to send meals to the Lexington Rescue Mission, God’s Pantry, OWL, UK Healthcare and other locations, all while supporting local restaurants. 

None of this would be possible without the restaurants and their amazing employees. They are just some of the fantastic people helping us through these tough times. All of us at the UK Federal Credit Union would like to extend our sincerest thanks to everyone who made the UKFCU Restaurant Challenge possible. Together, we can get through this.

In total, we were able to purchase 5,000 meals from 20+ different restaurants, with over 1,500 meals going to local non-profits and healthcare centers.

To learn more about our restaurant challenge, visit ukfcu.org/restaurantchallenge.

In response to the impact COVID-19 pandemic was having on our local economy, the UK Federal Credit Union announced that we were starting the UKFCU Restaurant Challenge to help small and local restaurants in our community. Beginning March 24^th we committed to spending $50,000 with local restaurants by bringing in lunch for our employees at all of our locations. Over the next 6 weeks, we were not only able to feed our employees, but we were able to send meals to the Lexington Rescue Mission, God’s Pantry, OWL, St. Joseph Hospital, UK Healthcare, and other locations, all while supporting local restaurants.

In total, we were able to purchase over 5,000 meals from 20+ different restaurants, with over 1,500 meals going to local
non-profits and healthcare centers.

We are proud to live in a community that has fantastic local restaurants, and even though the UKFCU Restaurant Challenge has ended, we still want to keep the spirit of supporting local restaurants alive. We encourage other businesses to order catering for first responders, hospital staff, or local non-profits during this time. Individuals and families can participate in the Restaurant Challenge by ordering take-out or purchase e-gift cards from your favorite restaurants. To help raise awareness and show support, feel free to tag us on social media using #UKFCURestaurantChallenge.

Below is a list of restaurants that we were able to support during this time and a list of restaurants that have reached out to let us know they are offering take-out and/or catering. However, there are many more restaurants in Lexington. Our friends at LEX 18 and WKYT have compiled a list of restaurants and their operating procedures during this time. To see LEX18’S list, visit https://www.lex18.com/open or check out WKYT’s list at https://www.wkyt.com/stillserving

Restaurants We've Ordered From: 

• Athenian Grill
• Azur
• Crank & Boom
• Dad's Favorites Deli
• DaRae and Friends
• Double H BBQ
• Drakes
• Dupree Catering 
• DV8
• J. Render's Southern Table and Bar 
• Mintons
• Pasta Garage
• Saul Good
• Selma's 
• Texas Roadhouse
• The Cellar
• Zim's

Restaurants That Are Offering Take-out and/or Catering: 

• Chicken Salad Chick
• Chuy's
• City BBQ 
• Deans Diner
• Girls Girls Girls Burritos 
• Go Go Burger
• Goodfellas Pizzeria
• Jersey Mike's 
• KSBar and Grille
• Mr. Brews Taphouse
• Rolling Oven 
• Salsarita's 
• School Sushi 
• Tack House Pub
• Taziki's 

To learn more about UKFCU Restaurant Challenge, please email Hannah Sloan at [email protected]. 

Support Kentucky!
#TeamKentucky
#TogetherKY
#Patriot
#UKFCURestaurantChallenge

To find out more about our Member or Business Relief Loans visit https://www.ukfcu.org/covid-19 for full details.

UK Federal Credit Union Employees Donate Thousands of Food Items to Help Those in Need this Thanksgiving

As families across the bluegrass are gearing up the holiday season, employees from the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union (UKFCU) held their 3rd Annual Food Drive collecting non-perishable food items to help feed those in need this Thanksgiving. All items collected were distributed to two organizations – Opportunity for Work and Learning (OWL) and Lexington Rescue Mission.

The 2019 food drive collected over 5,500 non-perishable food items, which were distributed between the two organizations. Every single item was donated by UKFCU employees. “The items collected will help us achieve our goal of helping those in need this holiday season. Plus, with the overwhelming outpouring of support will continue to feed individuals into well the New Year!” said Carol Sherrow, Marketing Director for UKFCU.

"We were blessed to receive SO MUCH food from U.K. Federal Credit Union. Thanks to their generosity hundreds of hungry men, women, and children will receive hot meals this winter. We can't thank them enough for their support" said Laura Carr, Development Director for the Lexington Rescue Mission.

More about OWL & Lexington Rescue Mission:

Opportunity for Work and Learning (OWL): OWL helps individuals who have barriers achieve vocational and personal goals through comprehensive and individualized programming. Since 1961, OWL has served more 26,000 individuals. There are three main divisions to OWL - the OWL Center, Advancing Capabilities & Enhancing Skills (ACES) and the Lexington Manufacturing Center. Each division strives to assist the community and drive meaningful results. Find out more about OWL here.

Lexington Rescue Mission: Opening their doors in 2001, the Lexington Rescue Mission began offering food, clothing, financial assistance and spiritual guidance to those in need. Today the Mission offers community meals, help with meeting basic needs, housing assistance, employment support, transitional housing, re-entry programs, and spiritual care. Lexington Rescue Mission follows the foundation that “God is at work here, rebuilding broken lives”. Find out more about Lexington Rescue Mission here.

We had a blast spending time with everyone who attended the Benny Snell jr. Youth Football Camp!

This July, we got the opportunity to sponsor Benny Snell Jr.'s Summer Youth Football Camp. Over the course of the camp weekend former Kentucky Wildcat and current Pittsburgh Steeler RB, Benny Snell Jr., provided local youth with valuable football knowledge and hands-on instruction in a fun, high-energy, positive environment. Camp activities included lectures, fundamental skill stations, contests, and scrimmages. All campers brought their A-Game!

Thank you to all who came out to the event, and good luck to everyone this fall season

UKFCU's swag booth for this year's 80's Party attendees.

Bring on the White Rain!

We were thrilled to present Mix 94.5's Annual 80s Party with "Hair We Go Again" a tribute to big hair, ballads and some of the best bands of all time! This year's party featured Mix 94.5's Jeff Stevens, and his band Stranger from Dayton, OH. The night was filled with Big Hair Band chart-toppers from the 80s, the classics, DJ Kevin Bell, a Kareoke Kombat show down finalists!

On December, 21st, 2018, we got to witness Booker T. Washington’s 5th-grade class graduate from their D.A.R.E. program!

This D.A.R.E. curriculum, taught by some of Lexington’s finest police officers, is designed to teach and encourage students in good decision-making skills to help them lead safe and healthy lives. To help promote this message and reward the students’ hard work, we gifted $100 in gift cards to the graduating classes’ essay winners!

Thank you to Lexington Police for investing in our next generation and congrats again to the graduates! We are so proud and are excited to see other 5th-grade classes across Lexington as they progress in their D.A.R.E. programs.

Photo Caption: American Red Cross Hurricane Relief check presentation. Left to right: 1) David Kennedy, President/CEO of the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union, 2) Tawanda Owsley, Executive Director of the American Red Cross Bluegrass Area Chapter, 3) Lynne Washbish, Donor Development Officer for the American Red Cross Bluegrass Area Chapter.

Lexington, Ky., - November 1, 2017 -  As recent hurricanes battered the US, the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union (UKFCU)  and its members decided to take action and helped raise money for the American Red Cross to help hurricane relief efforts. UKFCU members raised over $10,000, which was matched dollar for dollar by the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union. In addition to the donation match, the credit union donated additional funds, rounding the total donation to $25,000 to help those impacted by the storms. Even former UK Basketball Point Guard, Dominique Hawkins, got in on the action by tweeting to his followers to donate for hurricane relief with UKFCU.

“I believe providing assistance to others in times of need such as this is very much in alignment with ‘the credit union way’.  It’s at the heart of what we are supposed to do, as the original credit union philosophy intended.” said David Kennedy, President/CEO of the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union.