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Giving Back
2019 Fall Festival & Chili Cookoff
The ITS annual Fall Festival, held on October 25, 2019, brought together ITS employees and IT Community of Practice guests with some friendly competition in a chili cook off. The goal was not only to entertain but also to raise money for United Way of the Bluegrass. In total, ITS was able to raise $432 through the cook off by means of donations and chili sales.
Guests could buy one bowl of chili or three cups to try out the different recipes. While enjoying all the different chilis, the guests were treated to conversation, games, and a fall ambiance. The competition featured two judges, Mat Anderson and Jacob Maraccini who, after tasting each entry, chose a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner. 1st place was awarded to the Strategic Engagement & Communications team’s Emily Brenzel who was presented with the golden ladle, while 2nd went to Tracy Peck and 3rd went to Steve Creager, both of Research Information Services (RIS). Overall, it was a great time eating chili and enjoying fall together.
Give Health for Kentucky Kids
The University of Kentucky joined forces with Gen.G for the “Give Health for Kentucky Kids’’ program in October 2020. The program with Kentucky Children’s Hospital (KCH), Children’s Miracle Network, and Extra Life aimed to provide patients with a sense of community and freedom through virtual gaming events both within the hospital walls and with the greater Esports community. Patients were able to compete
in special events, play a variety of provided games with family and friends, and connect with the larger gaming community while bringing awareness and fundraising opportunities to the hospital. The program kicked off on Saturday, Oct. 24 with a seven-day fundraising streamathon on Twitch, raising over $20,000 in donations. The streamathon, with the help of featured influencers, saw 12,905 peak viewers and 110,442,472 impressions. Overall, the event was a great success for Kentucky Children’s Hospital and the Esports program.
2020 Giving Tuesday COVID-19 Relief Fund & C.R.I.S.I.S. Program Campaign
In participation with UK’s Giving Tuesday on December 1, 2020, ITS employees came together to help UK employees in need. Monetary donations were encouraged for the UK Employee COVID-19 Response Fund and the C.R.I.S.I.S. Program to assist employees suffering a variety of hardships. Formed in May 2020, the UK Employee COVID-19 Response Fund was started by UK as a way to provide financial support to individuals who are experiencing an unforeseen, temporary financial hardship due to the pandemic. UK Staff Senate’s C.R.I.S.I.S. Program (Crisis Relief in Situations Involving Staff and Faculty) has assisted many employees since its launch in 2014 with one-time financial assistance.
