Blue Grass Farms Charities

Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC) was named one of three non-profits to receive the "Maker's Mark Bourbon: Greats of the Gate" Man-O-War bottle proceeds. Proceeds from the Man o' War bottle will support construction of a new food pantry located at The Thoroughbred Center on Paris Pike, Keeneland's year-round training facility, making it accessible to industry workers. For the first three years of the 10-year series, the "Greats of the Gate" bottle will also support Kentucky Harvest and Art Center of the Bluegrass. The Art Center of the Bluegrass connects...

Edited Press Release Officials at Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC) have announced that the organization has received a grant from the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (HOKC) in the amount of $6,354.00 to purchase 75 middle school backpacks and 200 grade school backpacks. Blue Grass Farms Charities serves individuals and their families who work in the Central Kentucky Thoroughbred industry by providing health and human services in six counties. HOKC awarded $3.1 million in grants supporting 343 non-profits, impacting more than 3.8 million Kentuckians.  Grants are made possible through donations...

The University of Kentucky Ag Equine Program's Wildcat Wrangler equine student ambassador team has selected Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC) as their agency of choice for the semester for community service. Club members will host a 'canned food, cleaning and hygiene' drive from Feb. 14-25 and will be collecting 'springtime' toys for farm children to play with outside on sunny days. "We cannot wait to start collecting donations and distributing them to the community while connecting with the equine industry," said sophomore Jen Zimmerman, a 'Wildcat Wrangler' in the UK...

Marshall Allen has been named the winner of this year's Race Track Chaplaincy of America White Horse Award. Allen, an assistant trainer at Emerald Downs, saved the life of long-time horse owner Jim Foulkes, who had collapsed in the track's barn area last May. Allen began CPR and assisted EMTs when they arrived on the scene. To see Allen's story, click here. Also honored by RTCA White Horse nominations this year were: Julie Berry from Blue Grass Farms Charities; Jonathan Estrada from Belmont Park; Nick Garafola and Veronica Gallardo from...

Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC), which provides health and human services to people working on Central Kentucky's Thoroughbred farms, will host both a virtual auction and an in-person gala event in October. The 2nd Annual Relics and Rarities from the Bluegrass Region Virtual Auction will begin Oct. 29 at 7 p.m. and end Nov. 1, also at 7 p.m. Anyone is welcome and encouraged to bid on unique, rare, and fun items from area farms and businesses. Text BGFC at 76278 to connect and be a part of the auction. "We...

Blue Grass Farms Charities, Inc., (BGFC) received a $7,247 grant from the Honorable Order Kentucky Colonels (HOKC) to purchase 1,000 backpacks for farm and track workers' children--Kindergarten through Middle School--for the 2021 school year. In total, the HOKC will award $2.1 million in grants supporting 275 non-profits, impacting close to 3.7 million Kentuckians. "When HOKC Trustees met with grant applicants this year, we were reminded how hard the pandemic has made life harder for many folks, from first responders in community service charities to the clients themselves," said HOKC Commanding...

Keeneland and Country Boy Brewing of Lexington have collaborated to create Keeneland Spring Lager, which debuts today around Kentucky and will be sold at the track. Sales of the beer will benefit Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC). For every case of beer they sell, Country Boy and beverage distributor Kentucky Eagle, each will donate $1 to BGFC. Sales of the Keeneland Spring Lager and of Country Boy's Keeneland Fall Ale will support BGFC's Back to School Backpack Program, which provides school supplies for nearly 1,000 children whose parents work in...

The Kentucky Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners will present the William T. Young Humanitarian Award to Blue Grass Farms Charities during its annual awards presentation which will be held at the Keeneland Sales Pavilion Apr. 7 beginning at 10:30 a.m. Blue Grass Farms Charities provides health and human services to people working on Central Kentucky's Thoroughbred farms. "On behalf of the board of directors and staff, we are honored to accept the accolade," said BGFC executive director Julie Berry. "The meaning of the William T. Young Humanitarian Award is definitely symbolic...

Unable to have its annual fundraiser this year, Blue Grass Farms Charities is hosting a virtual charity auction that starts Thursday, Oct. 29 at noon EST. Bidding will be open through Sunday, Nov. 1 at 7:00 p.m. EST. Featured items include halters worn by Justify, American Pharoah, Rachel Alexandra, Swiss Skydiver and more. Text BGFC to 76278 to register and receive communications on this inaugural auction or click here for a preview starting Monday at noon.

Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC) was the recipient of the University of Kentucky (UK)'s first "Equine Week of Service," a chance for equine students, faculty, staff, and alumni from the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment to volunteer and support organizations that align with their studies. During the week of Sept. 28, faculty, staff, and students from the UK Equine Program assisted BGFC with outreach and fundraising duties. Participants delivered fresh produce, frozen foods, and bread totaling close to 5,000 pounds from Lexington's God's Pantry to area farms for the...

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Board of Directors for Blue Grass Farms Charities (BGFC) have postponed the upcoming "Monster Bash" Masquerade Ball, an annual fundraising event which was scheduled to be held at Limestone Hall in Lexington Oct. 30. Also, a date for the charities' annual online auction has yet to be determined but will be conducted this season. "Creativity is the key word in fundraising this year," states Julie Berry, Executive Director. "We began our 'Gallop and Graze' campaign for the next six months to raise...

Beginning in July, Blue Grass Farms Charities will launch its inaugural matching gift campaign, "Gallop and Graze," to further the mission of the charity. Founded in 2003, Blue Grass Farm Charities' purpose is to provide health and human services to those working in the Thoroughbred racing community. With a commitment to this mission, BGFC is proud to announce Gallop and Graze, a matching campaign to provide continued services and assistance to our backstretch and farm community. Keeneland has kicked off this campaign with a $20,000 gift and the Mary K....