Kentucky to collect donations at Vanderbilt game for flood victims

Are you going to the Kentucky game on Wednesday? Do you want to help those impacted by recent flooding in the Commonwealth? The Wildcats have the perfect opportunity for you to support, no matter your resources. Just bring whatever you’ve got to Lexington and they’ll take care of the rest!

UK Athletics, UK Police and Facilities Management are partnering to accept donated supplies outside of Rupp Arena on High Street before the Wildcats take on Vanderbilt. The donation window is scheduled between 4:30 and 7:30 PM ET with the following items being accepted:

• Non-perishable foods
• Paper goods (toilet paper, paper towels)
• Cleaning supplies
• Bottled water

“We’re pretty excited about doing a drive for the game on Wednesday. We’re inviting everybody that comes out to the game to bring any type of donations — non-perishable foods, paper goods, cleaning supplies and bottled water,” Mark Pope said Monday night. “We’ll have a massive 18-wheeler on High Street as you walk into the gym and we’re going to get that delivered as quickly as we can. That’s just the first thing — the first of many — we’ll be doing to help our brothers and sisters of Eastern Kentucky.”

Pope added that his players reached out immediately after the flooding asking how they could help — beyond the Wildcats from the areas affected.

“It’s something that’s touched some of the guys on our team, really specifically our guys. A lot of this actually comes from our players, where they’re like, ‘Coach, what can we do? What can we do?’ They’re just trying to help the community. We hope everybody jumps in and we know we will — because this is Kentucky. It’s how we do it.”

“It’s so devastating — especially for me and Trent where it affects our areas. Our message to BBN is we’re all with you in it. We’re going to support you in whatever ways we can,” Travis Perry added. ” … I’ve said it many times, but we have great guys. You don’t realize it until you’re here with them, and everyone wants to say they have great guys, but we truly have great people that care. They care about our locker room, care about our coaches, care about their families, and then care about Big Blue Nation as a family.

“That’s something — they feel the love that Big Blue Nation shares with us and they want to show that love back.”

Looking to make an impact now? Go for it — there are plenty of ways to help starting today. UK has announced the following drop-off locations open as we speak:

• Gatton Student Center
  Student Government Association office on the first floor
  160 Avenue of Champions
  Lexington, KY 40508
   
• Chandler Hospital
  Pavilion A Information Desk
  1000 S Limestone
  Lexington, KY 40508 

You can also donate online:

• To support Kentucky Communities consider contributing to the Team Kentucky Storm Relief Fund
• For more on how the University of Kentucky is responding, visit uky.edu/FloodRelief