June 15 named United Way of the Bluegrass Centennial Day

Published 2:28 pm Thursday, June 17, 2021

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For 100 years now, the United Way of the Bluegrass organization has invested millions of dollars to social service agencies across 10 Central Kentucky Counties including Clark County. In recognition of their service, Winchester Mayor Ed Burtner has declared June 15 United Way of the Bluegrass Centennial Day.

Since 1921, United Way of the Bluegrass has worked with businesses, volunteers and other non-profit organizations to invest in projects that improve the education, basic needs and financial stability of every person in Central Kentucky. Throughout its life, the organization has invested nearly $240 million to the counties of Clark, Fayette, Anderson, Bourbon, Jessamine, Madison, Montgomery, Scott, Woodford and now Franklin (as of Aug. 1, 2020.)

The organization wasn’t always known as United Way of the Bluegrass. On March 4, 1921, a group of 22 social service organizations agreed to become members of the Lexington Welfare League. This group took numerous names throughout the decades, including Community Chest and United Community Services. That is, until 1973, when the organization joined United Way and became United Way of the Bluegrass.

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“United Way of the Bluegrass continues to fight to ensure each person in Central Kentucky is financially stable, that basic needs are met, and that access to education is provided,” said Mayor Burtner. “We are thankful for the work of the United Way of the Bluegrass in Winchester and across the Bluegrass for 100 years.”

United Way of the Bluegrass Centennial Day was proclaimed during the regular Winchester Board of Commissioners meeting the afternoon of June 15, 2021. Mark Matics, a director of the United Way of the Bluegrass Trailblazers education program, represented the organization with his attendance of the meeting.

“Thank you to members of the council for this recognition,” Matics said, shaking Burtner’s hand. “We will do our best to make this next century a prosperous one.”

For more information regarding United Way of the Bluegrass, visit their website at UWBG.org.