Heart of Kentucky United Way encourages $1 a day donation

With $1 a day, local small businesses have the chance to be a Hero Everyday for the Heart of Kentucky United Way — and the non-profit wants to give them recognition for their support.

“There are a lot of smaller businesses that come together to equal a lot of money for us each year,” said Brian Shannon, resource development director.

“Smaller businesses” refer to those with 15 employees or less and have the opportunity to participate in the Hero Everyday campaign, which asks them to donate $1 a day to the Heart of Kentucky United Way. Some of these businesses also encourage their employees to donate funds.

In turn, the businesses will be recognized on the Heart of Kentucky United Way’s website, and each week in The Advocate-Messenger, a hero of the week will be chosen. The idea is for each business to be featured once.

“We want the public to know that these small businesses make a large majority of giving back to the community. We want to honor what they’re doing and acknowledge them,” Shannon said.

He said they want to encourage the community to support these local small businesses and honor their contributions to the Heart of Kentucky United Way, which works to  address issues of education, income and health in Boyle, Garrard, Lincoln and Mercer counties. 

Heart of Kentucky United Way focuses on: helping improve kindergarten readiness; increasing access to affordable, quality preschool; increasing parents’ understanding, confidence and skills in helping children prepare for school; increasing public awareness and support for investing in early childhood education; decreasing barriers to employment and higher education; increasing ability to manage personal finances effectively; helping people in crisis becoming self-sufficient; promoting healthy living and lifestyle for children and adults; and increasing access and coordination of affordable healthcare services for all.

“We encourage folks to patronize these businesses, because they are investing our communities. They’re here in our communities — small businesses make the vast majority of the people working and living here. We need to invest back into our communities,” Shannon said. “We are recognizing those who are helping us.”

SO YOU KNOW

Small businesses — those with 15 employees or less — that are interested in becoming a Hero Everyday should contact Brian Shannon at  (859) 238-6986.