By Selena Stevens

"This is a way to get college students involved in giving back to the community. "Our focus is not on the amount of money, but on getting students familiar with giving what they can. Pennies may not be able to do much on their own, but it's what a penny can do when you put it with others that really makes a difference."

Tyler Powell, SDC co-chair of the campaign

UK's kickoff event for the Million Pennies Project will be held between noon and 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, on the UK Student Center patio. The event will feature free pizza from Papa John's and door prizes. The Student Development Council is leading the effort to collect the pennies on the UK campus.

"This is a way to get college students involved in giving back to the community, said Tyler Powell, SDC co-chair of the campaign. "Our focus is not on the amount of money, but on getting students familiar with giving what they can. Pennies may not be able to do much on their own, but it's what a penny can do when you put it with others that really makes a difference."

Collection will begin at the kickoff event, and bins will be set up across campus through mid-November. On Oct. 12 and 13, collection booths will be set up in conjunction with SDC events in the Gatton College of Business and Economics. Although the SDC hopes to encourage student giving, all members of the campus community are invited to participate in the campaign. To make a donation or find out about collection locations, call the UK Development office at 257-3911.

The United Way is a national system of volunteers, contributors and local charities that work to improve local communities through fundraising, training and service. The United Way of the Bluegrass is one of 1,400 local chapters and supports nearly 90 agencies in Central Kentucky. Over the years, the University of Kentucky has been the third largest contributor to United Way of the Bluegrass.