CHHS News

BOWLING GREEN, KY.  – Hosted by Western Kentucky’s Nonprofit Student Association, two local nonprofit organizations and one business were recognized for their hard work and influence in the community of Bowling Green, KY. This luncheon also provided a chance for the WKU students interested in nonprofits to network with local organizations.

On Thursday, April 23, 2015, at Mr. B’s Pizza and Wings on Scottsville Road, 55 different affiliates from local business and nonprofits as along with WKU students gathered for an award luncheon to recognize local businesses and nonprofits in three categories. The categories were:

1. 2015 Emerging Nonprofit Organization Award (active in the local area 5 years or more)
2. 2015 Established Nonprofit Organization Award (active in the local area less than 5 years)
3. 2015 Philanthropic Business Award (provides exceptional support to local nonprofit organizations)

The winner of the first award, Emerging Nonprofit Organization Award, was given to Celebration Cakes: A Ministry of First Baptist Church. This is an organization that has been active in the local area for less than 5 years. This Ministry of First Baptist Church brings joy to children in need one birthday at a time. Their vision is: Making children feel special and blessed on their birthday.  As one school counselor said, “To us a cake is batter and icing, but to them its confidence, its being able to share something, it’s being thought of enough that it lets that child know that they are important and it really does make a birthday wish come true for them”

The winner of the second award, Established Nonprofit Organization Award, was given to The Bowling Green Junior Woman’s Club. This organization has been active in the local area for more than 5 years.  Their mission is to improve the lives of women, children and families in the local community. During the past year three events hosted by the club included:

• Duncan Hines Festival - This year is the 19^th annual Duncan Hines Festival, as it will benefit a local non-profit organization. The 2015 Duncan Hines Festival beneficiary is SKyPAC Education & Youth Theatre Program.
• Coats for Kids - The Annual Coats for Kids campaign helps distribute new or gently used coats to needed citizens throughout the Warren County Area.
• Hangover Classic - Held on January 1, 2015, the 3^rd Annual Hangover Classic 5k and Relay raised over $7,500 with $5,000 being donated to Down Syndrome of South Central KY to support athletic equality.

The last award, Philanthropic Business Award, went to Crocker Law Firm. They provide exceptional support to local nonprofit organizations. A few of their outreach initiatives this year included:

• Teen Angel program - This program is coordinated with Vision - A Multi-Agency Council, Community Education, and the Youth Services Centers in Bowling Green City and Warren County schools to provide Christmas gifts to underprivileged teens who have aged out of the Angel Tree program. The law firm also matches all individual monetary donations made on the Donation Blast Day at Starbucks.
• Legally Speaking - A series of seminars that are offered at a low price of $5 to community members on topics ranging from Social Security, Social Security Disability, Wills, Powers of Attorney, Medical Powers of Attorney, and many more topics.
• The law firm has been a sponsor or participant in numerous events that support programs such as the Brain Injury Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Kentucky, Bowling Green Humane Society, Family Enrichment Center, Kentucky VSA, Relay for Life, Community Education, and the Women’s Fund.

On behalf of the School of Kinesiology, Recreation and Sport and the WKU Nonprofit Organization, we wish to say thank you to all the groups that attended the luncheon. Nominations for each award are sought from local nonprofits and businesses and this event provides a way to connect WKU students to local nonprofit organization leaders. The WKU Nonprofit Administration is open to all WKU students. Please contact Dr. Tricia Jordan with any internship or volunteer opportunities your organizations may have for WKU students.

For additional information regarding the WKU Nonprofit Organization please contact WKU Assistant Professor and WKU Nonprofit Association Advisor, Dr. Tricia Jordan, 270-745-6042 or tricia.jordan@wku.edu

Contacts:       

Dr. Tricia Jordan, KRS Assistant Professor

270-745-6042, tricia.jordan@wku.edu

Mr. Quentin Crowe, KRS Graduate Assistant

502-471-5911, quentin.crowe942@topper.wku.edu

Mr. Craig Peden, KRS Graduate Assistant

270-860-3709, craig.peden861@topper.wku.edu

Crocker Law Firm

 Dr. Neale Chumbler Speaking at Mr. B's Pizza and Wings