As the holiday season approaches, the Office of Student Organizations and Activities (SOA), a unit within the Office for Student Success, is gearing up for its annual Circle of Love program. Circle of Love is a program that invites the University of Kentucky community to provide gifts for the holidays for children within Fayette County Public Schools.
According to May 2022 data from the Fayette County Public Schools website, 50.1% of students at public schools in Fayette County receive free or reduced lunch. For many of these students, the holiday season is filled with financial troubles rather than gifts and joy. Circle of Love gives members of the UK community the opportunity to support these students and spread holiday cheer around Lexington.
Circle of Love encourages 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 will provide 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.
This year, everything is digital. You can sign up to sponsor a child's wishlist here. The full directions for participation can be found by visiting the "Directions'' and "FAQs and Purchasing Guidelines" tabs along the bottom of the sheet.
Drop off for all gift lists starts Nov. 28 until Dec. 1, in the Gatton Student Center's Harris Ballroom on the third floor. Gift drop off will be from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, with school resource counselors picking up gifts at the end of the week. All gifts purchased should be dropped off unwrapped and in bags that are individual to each child. School resource counselors 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 any further questions, please contact Chris Ciarcia (ciarciac@uky.edu), acting associate director for service and community engagement.
Categories: Kentucky, Education