LexLinc is serving as the fiscal or organizing for the following community partnerships that seek volunteers and sponsors. All sponsorships are used to pay the direct costs. No sponsorship dollars are applied to administrative or personnel costs.
Prevent Child Abuse Month (April)
Friends of Children is a community partnership that assists the Department for Community Based Services with its strategies in protection and permanency (for example, foster care and adoption). Friends of Children holds four signature events in April, national Prevent Child Abuse Month. These events raise awareness and honor professionals and volunteers who work every day in difficult trenches to keep our children safe.
Friends of Children Appreciation Breakfast (April 30). Attended by approximately 300 people, this free event at the Crowne Plaza is an opportunity for our children to thank the adult volunteers and professionals who keep them safe. For those who attended, it is a highlight of the year.
Candlelight Vigil (April 7). A twilight event on the courthouse lawn that serves as a memorial for children from Fayette County who died in the last year from abuse or neglect. The event also brings attention to the ongoing issue of abuse and neglect. As a partnership with Court Appointed Special Advocates, CASA swears in new volunteers as part of the vigil.
Family Resource Fair (April 17). Fifty to 70 organizations, including health and human service agencies, schools, police, churches and the public library, share information and make their resources more accessible to families from the general community and families targeted to attend this event. Food and door prizes also help attract several hundred people.
Friends of Children 5K Run (April 19). A Saturday morning run/walk to raise awareness. Over 100 runners participate. Funds raised through sponsorships, donations and registration fees go toward Thursday Child and summer camp for at-risk children.
Total Needed Sponsorship $12,000
Contact: Catherine Warner 381-1302, ext. 228 cwarner@lexlinc.org
Back-to-School Rallies (August 9)
On August 9, over a dozen low-income Lexington neighborhoods will host simultaneous back-to-school rallies for over 5,000 Title I children. For their individual rallies, neighborhood partners provide grassroots planning and organizing, entertainment, workshops and speakers, door prizes and give-aways, and also secure additional partners and sponsorship from neighborhood businesses, schools, arts, human service and faith-based organizations. The week prior to the rallies, neighborhood partners unify to stuff all 5,000 backpacks at the Transylvania University student center. Sponsorships secured through LexLinc provide backpacks, school supplies and meals and refreshments for the two-day backpack-stuffing party.
Total Needed Sponsorship $60,000 for backpacks and school supplies
Food and refreshments for the back-pack stuffing party
Contact: Catherine Warner, 381-1302, ext. 228 cwarner@lexlinc.org
Getting Ready for Kindergarten Activity Calendars (September)
Over 5,000 developmental activity calendars, targeted toward parents with children ages three through five, are distributed through schools, childcare centers, libraries and agencies. In partnership with Fayette County Public Schools, LexLinc helps produce and find sponsors for the calendars.
Total Needed Sponsorship $12,000
Contact: Catherine Warner, 381-1302, ext. 228 cwarner@lexlinc.org