Contact: Amy Gilliam

l to r: Bonnie Thornton, Chair for Circle of Love and Director of Volunteer Services, Jacquie Sale, Market Analyst, Gary Ginn, Santa and Coroner, Marti Sale, Department Administrator, Psychiatry, and Margaret Florence, Administrative Staff Officer, Dentistry

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 12, 2003) -- Hundreds of Central Kentucky children will have a happier holiday again this year thanks to University of Kentucky employees.

The annual Circle of Love provides presents from clothing to toys and bicycles for underprivileged children in Fayette, Bourbon, Scott, Woodford, Madison, Jessamine, Nicholas and Clark counties.

Teachers and counselors from schools in the eight-county Central Kentucky area select students to receive gifts and send the list to members of the Circle of Love committee. UK employees and departments participate in the program by buying gifts from a wish list made by the children.

“The holiday season is for the children, who, without our university community, may not find anything under the tree. It is a wonderful feeling knowing you helped make it special for them,” said Bonnie Thornton, chair of the program.

UK employees recently dropped off gifts at the UK Student Center and Hospital. Schools picked up gifts today, Friday, Dec. 12.