Category: News

Elizabethtown-based nonprofit Give 270 presented a check Monday for $91,363.52 to regional nonprofit Opal’s Dream Foundation. The donation was raised through a Bourbon Strong 50-4-50 bourbon raffle hosted by Give 270 last week. 

Founded in 2012, Opal’s Dream Foundation serves thousands of seniors in over 100 nursing homes in approximately 50 communities across Kentucky and Indiana. The foundation’s mission is to restore dignity, respect and joy to seniors in long-term care. The organization celebrates and enriches the lives of seniors through a variety of programs which provide mobility assistance, basic needs, quality of life improvements, recreation and socialization opportunities, engagement with the arts, companionship, and non-denominational spiritual support.

“We’re grateful for the team at Give 270 and their efforts in promoting this raffle and helping us further our mission,” said Paul Thompson, COO of Opal’s Dream Foundation. “These funds are indispensable for the work that we do and we look forward to employing them in the community immediately.” 

Give 270 previously supported Opal’s Dream Foundation through a bourbon raffle last year and the sale of an exclusive bourbon bottle celebrating the military veteran community in partnership with North Hardin Wine & Spirits in Radcliff in 2021. 

“We are proud to once again work with Opal’s Dream Foundation to support their important mission, and we are thrilled with the outcome of this raffle,” said Eric Clemens, Board Chair for Give 270.

Last week’s raffle featured 50 bourbon prizes at $50 per ticket. An additional Bourbon Strong 50-4-50 raffle is set for April 26 with proceeds benefiting Charities For Kentucky. Give 270 will also host Round 7 of Whiskey Wednesdays, its weekly bourbon raffle, from April 12 through June 28, with proceeds benefiting Give 270’s mission to support community, economic and workforce development through local giving. Raffles will take place each Wednesday at 8 p.m. on Give 270’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. 

To purchase tickets and stay up-to-date on raffles and events hosted by Give 270, visit give270.org.

Local nonprofit Give 270 will match up to $2,500 in funds donated toward Hardin County-based nonprofit Helping Hand of Hope’s food pantry campaign through March 31. Helping Hand of Hope is currently raising funds to resupply its food pantry amid windstorms in Hardin County earlier this month that caused widespread power outages, leaving numerous perishable food supplies to spoil.

“Not only did these recent storms affect the food supply in our pantry, but also in the homes of many Hardin County residents who are already facing food insecurity,” said Helping Hand of Hope Executive Director Hope Burke. 

The donation match from Give 270 aligns with the nonprofit’s efforts to support community, economic and workforce development of the Elizabethtown-Fort Knox MSA (Hardin, LaRue and Meade counties) by raising funds for other area nonprofit organizations and local initiatives.

“When these storms swept through the area earlier this month, it was clear that there was an immediate need in the community, and it was important for Give 270 to find a way to help,” said Eric Clemens, Board Chair for Give 270. “We urge all members of the community who have the ability to contribute to this significant campaign, to donate whatever they can.” 

Along with several other services and programs that alleviate personal and financial hardship among Hardin County residents, combating local food insecurity is a key component of Helping Hand of Hope’s mission. Last year, 10,067 local families were provided with food boxes through Helping Hand of Hope. 

To donate to the campaign, visit helpinghandofhope.org/donate. Donations can also be made by texting GIVEHOPE to 26-989 or by mailing cash donations to P.O. Box 642, 6796 South Wilson Road, Elizabethtown, KY 42702-0642. 

Today, Down Syndrome Association of the Heartland (DSAH) announced that Give 270, an Elizabethtown, Kentucky-based nonprofit, will match all fundraising donations up to $2,100 from March 14 through March 21. The match gift ends on World Down Syndrome Day, a global awareness day that has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012. 

The amount was inspired by the Down syndrome marker, an extra copy of the 21st chromosome. 

This is the second match for DSAH’s current fundraising campaign ahead of World Down Syndrome Day. The organization has set a $21,000 goal for the 21-day campaign. 

“We successfully matched a gift from Candela Renewables recently, and we look forward to doing the same with Give 270,” said Tonya House, DSAH executive director. “We are grateful for our community’s excitement around our DSAH members and their families.”

Funds raised will be used to support individuals with Down syndrome – as well as their families, friends, caregivers, teachers, and coworkers – in Central Kentucky, including Hardin, Grayson, LaRue, Breckinridge, Meade, Nelson and Hart counties. 

Funding will be used for the following services:

1. Providing resources for families experiencing a new Down syndrome diagnosis.
2. Offering weekly and monthly services for individuals with Down syndrome (ex. cooking class, art class, etc.).
3. Supply regional classrooms with inclusive books.
4. Raise awareness about Down syndrome in the region.

“Give 270 is always looking for opportunities to support nonprofits in our communities,” said Eric Clemens, Give 270 board chair. “We are fortunate to be able to support the individuals and families touched by Down syndrome in our region and encourage the community to support them as well.”

In order to take full advantage of the match, DSAH needs $2,100 in match donations from other individuals during the designated dates (March 14 – 21).

“Like last time, we need our communities to make this match possible,” House said. “We ask that our communities consider making a donation to help us raise $2,100 over the next seven days.”

To donate, individuals, organizations and businesses are encouraged to text TheLuckyFew to 269-89 or visit dsheartland.org.

DSAH supports individuals with Down syndrome and their loved ones through celebrating, educating, advocating and serving. This includes resources for families following a new Down syndrome diagnosis at birth as well as ongoing education opportunities such as cooking classes for young adults, art classes, group therapy opportunities and more. In addition to the classes, DSAH brings families together through events and ongoing support services.  

The World Down Syndrome Day fundraising campaign generates operational funds to cover costs associated with classes, events and education. In addition to fundraising campaigns, DSAH generates funds through special events and corporate/private donations. DSAH is self-sustaining and all funds remain in the region. 

Today, organizers and sponsors with The Eric and Joe Show presented a check for $11,000 to representatives from the Therapeutic Loving foster Care & Adoption (TLC) program, a service of Home of the Innocents. The check was proceeds from The Eric and Joe Show held in November, 2022 at the Historic State Theater in Elizabethtown.

Each year, The Eric and Joe Show, an annual holiday variety show and Give 270 fundraiser, raises money for a nonprofit organization in central Kentucky.

“We were blown away by our community’s support of The Eric and Joe Show in 2022, and are excited to make this important donation to TLC to support work for children and families in the foster care system,” said Eric Clemens, co-founder of The Eric and Joe Show and board chair for Give 270. “Since the beginning, this show has been just as much about giving back to the community as it has been about entertaining crowds. We are blessed to be able to give back to the region.” 

TLC Foster Care & Adoption is a service of Home of the Innocents, and partners children with “Teaching Parents” who share their hearts and homes with children until they can return to their parents or are permanently adopted. There are TLC programs in both Louisville and Elizabethtown. Headquartered in Louisville, Home of the Innocents provides residential and community-based behavioral health services, therapeutic foster care and adoption services, supportive services for homeless young adults, and long-term care for medically complex or terminally ill children. 

“This donation will allow us to provide opportunities for our families to come together for fellowship and further strengthen the important bonds established in the foster care system for children and their foster families,” said Robby Gulick, Vice President of TLC Foster Care (Elizabethtown, KY), a division of Home of the Innocents.

Clemens and show co-founder Joe Bennett were joined by multiple event sponsors, including Magnolia Bank; Kentucky Farm Bureau, Lindsey Alicna, Agent; Stanley Steemer; Sunrise Farms Construction; Elizabethtown Tourism; Gray Construction; and many more.

“There is no way we could make a donation like this without the help of our sponsors,” said Bennett. “As we approach our ‘aluminum anniversary,’ we hope to raise even more for area nonprofits.”

A family-friendly variety show, The Eric and Joe Show combines sketch comedy, short films and dance routines to entertain crowds each year for a worthwhile cause in the region. Next November, The Eric and Joe Show is celebrating its 10th anniversary and will be expanding opportunities to engage with the community.  The Eric and Joe Show will take place Nov. 17 through 19 at the Historic State Theater in Elizabethtown. 

Since 2013, The Eric and Joe Show has donated more than $60,000 to local nonprofits. Previous recipients of funding from the show include Baptist Health Foundation Hardin, Helping Hand of Hope, SpringHaven, Mission Hope for Kids, and others.

Give 270 is a local 501(c)(3) crowdfunding organization that raises money to benefit projects and organizations in Hardin, LaRue and Meade counties. Give 270 also hosts the Whiskey Wednesdays and Bourbon Strong raffles, the Kentucky Craft Beer Festival and other fundraising events. Launched in 2016, Give 270 has raised more than $700,000 in total contributions to area nonprofits.

To learn more about The Eric and Joe Show or opportunities to engage with the show, visit theericandjoeshow.com. 

Today, Give 270 presented a $1,515 donation to Helping Hand of Hope to support this year’s Affordable Christmas program. Affordable Christmas allows local families to shop for their children at a discounted rate and come home with over $150 worth of presents to put under their tree. 

Funds were raised by Marnie Clagett, owner of Clagett Photography, and Crowne Pointe Theatre during the inaugural “Christmas in July” event featuring a public showing of the Christmas classic movie, “Elf.” Varying priced ticket tiers allowed movie-goers to make their experience interactive with fake snowballs, snacks, and a script with prompts to join along with the cast during the movie. Proceeds from the event benefited Give 270. 

“The idea for Christmas in July came from a desire to bring a fun, family-friendly event to our community, all while giving back to an important cause,” said Clagett. “We thought about who we might be able to partner with to support their efforts in the community and Give 270 was the perfect choice.” 

Give 270 and Clagett identified Affordable Christmas as a worthy recipient of the donation.

“Give 270 is honored to be the local nonprofit that organizations choose to partner with when they want to give back,” said Give 270 co-founder, Kenny Rambo. “When Marnie announced the theme of the event, we immediately thought of Helping Hand of Hope and their Affordable Christmas program.” 

Helping Hand of Hope Director Hope Burke said this year’s Affordable Christmas program will serve over 700 children in Hardin County.

“This year’s Affordable Christmas will be our biggest to date with the amount of children being served,” Burke said. “We couldn’t do it without the support of our community and organizations like Give 270.” 

To date, Give 270 has raised more than $600,000 benefiting causes ranging from meeting basic needs to mentoring and education initiatives in Hardin, LaRue and Meade counties.  

Today, Give 270 sent Hank off in style with $3,500 for his pet therapy training with Pawsibilities Unleashed. Give 270 co-founder Kenny Rambo and Board Chair Eric Clemens presented a proceeds check from Whiskey Wednesdays to Pawsibility Unleashed for Hank’s eight-week pet therapy training. Hank starts his training October 24.

At the conclusion of the training, Hank will be working with Hardin County 911 Dispatch. Hank will be well trained to generously volunteer to lick, cuddle, and encourage the 911 dispatchers who funnel and support emergency response in Hardin County. He will also be on hand to support emergency responders dealing with tough situations in our communities.

Special thank you to everyone who supported Whiskey Wednesdays by purchasing a $5 ticket or tickets to make local donations like this possible.

Today, Elizabethtown-based nonprofit Give 270 board members Kenny Rambo and Eric Clemens presented a $4,000 check to Robby Gulick, Vice President of TLC Foster Care (Elizabethtown, KY), a division of Home of the Innocents. The donation was made possible through proceeds from one Whiskey Wednesday Bourbon Raffle in May.

The donation will be used to connect foster families and kids with other children in the same situation.

“TLC Foster Care and Adoption at Home of the Innocents here in Elizabethtown, Kentucky just wants to say thank you to Give 270 for their generous donation,” said Gulick. “We are going to be using this money to engage our families (foster kids and foster parents) in community activities specifically around the holidays and get them outside before the summer months are over.”

“We are going to be using this money to engage our families (foster kids and foster parents) in community activities specifically around the holidays and get them outside before the summer months are over.”

Hardin County-based nonprofit Give 270 presented a check Wednesday for $52,765 to Saint James Catholic School (SJS) in Elizabethtown. The donation was raised through a Bourbon Strong + Kentucky Strong bourbon raffle hosted by Give 270 in May. 

The raffle, which featured 50 bourbon prizes, was made possible through donations from John and Leigh Ann Lewis, owners of John O’s Liquors in Elizabethtown. 

“Each of our six children attended Saint James, so making this raffle happen was very personal for Leigh Ann and I,” John Lewis said. “We were Saint James parents for 22 years and it was always evident that the school builds character and provides students with an exceptional education.” 

“We’re also excited to return to Saint James this year as our oldest grandbaby attends preschool this fall,” Leigh Ann added. “It was so important for us to give back to a school that has done so much for our family over the years.” 

Sister Mary Grace, principal of SJS, said the donation will go toward keeping tuition costs affordable for students at the school. 

“At Saint James, we work hard to keep tuition low so that all students who want to attend can benefit from the quality education we provide,” she said. “Gifts like this one, and others from our many benefactors, help us bridge the gap between the cost of education and our tuition. We’re so grateful to the Lewis family and to Give 270 for their generosity.” 

An additional Bourbon Strong + Kentucky Strong raffle is set to take place live on Give 270’s Facebook and YouTube channel on July 27, with proceeds benefiting Opal’s Dream Foundation. Ticket purchasers will have the chance to win the grand prize, which consists of a five-bottle set of Van Winkle Bourbon, including an Old Rip Van Winkle, 10 year, Van Winkle Special Reserve, 12 year Lot “B”, Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve, 15 year, 20 year and 23 year; the second drawing prize, consisting of a four-bottle BTAC selections set, including a 2019 Willian LaRue Weller, Thomas H. Handy, Sazerac 18 year and a 2020 Eagle Rare 17 year; and the third drawing prize, consisting of a six-bottle Buffalo Trace line-up, including an Eagle Rare 10 year, Weller 12 year, Weller Antique 107, Weller Special Reserve, Colonel E.H. Taylor Straight Rye and a Buffalo Trace. A total of 2,500 tickets are available at $100 a piece.

In addition to hosting Bourbon Strong + Kentucky Strong raffles, Give 270 also hosts weekly Whiskey Wednesdays Bourbon Raffles, which are hosted live on Give 270’s Facebook page and YouTube channel each Wednesday and give participants a chance to win rare and valuable bottles of whiskey at an affordable price point while helping the region. Whiskey Wednesdays raffle tickets go on sale each week and are $5 a ticket.

Tickets for both the Bourbon Strong + Kentucky Strong and Whiskey Wednesdays raffles are available for purchase at give270.org. 

Give 270 is a local 501(c)(3) crowdfunding organization that raises money to benefit projects and organizations in Hardin, LaRue and Meade counties. 

“Through our Bourbon Strong + Kentucky Strong and Whiskey Wednesdays raffles, it is rewarding to witness the enthusiasm from not just bourbon lovers, but also from those who want to help support worthwhile causes in the region,” said Give 270 co-founder Kenny Rambo. “We’re grateful for the support from John and Leigh Ann  and for the ability to make an impact on education in the region through our donation, and we are excited to continue making a regional impact through these raffle events.” 

Give 270 also hosts signature fundraising events such as the Kentucky Craft Beer Festival and the Eric and Joe Show, scheduled for November 18, 19, and 20 at the Historic State Theater. 

Elizabethtown-based nonprofit Give 270 has partnered with United Way of Central Kentucky (UWCK) for the Whiskey Wednesday raffles in June, July and August. The first raffle winner was drawn Wednesday, June 8.

Each week, Give 270’s Whiskey Wednesday will raffle off a full vertical of W.L. Weller by Buffalo Trace Distillery, a much sought after collection. However, ticket purchasers can opt to instead take only one bottle from the set and pass to have one of a maximum 13 chances to win a Van Winkle Full Vertical in the last week. 

According to UWCK president Joe Fowler, the raffle is an exciting way to raise money for nonprofits in Hardin, LaRue, Meade, Grayson and Breckinridge counties, and create community with fellow bourbon lovers who have a desire to give back.

“If you enjoy bourbon, It is hard to say no to a $5 ticket for a chance to win W.L. Weller and possibly Pappy,” Fowler said. “But more importantly, you are helping our community advance education, health and financial stability.” 

Proceeds from the raffle will provide essential funding for area nonprofits including the Community Health Foundation, Cloverport Family Resource and Youth Services Center (FRYSC), and Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC). 

“By raising funds for these three worthwhile causes, we have the opportunity to better fund other nonprofits in the region,” Fowler said. “It really is a win-win.”

Hosted live on Give 270’s Facebook page and YouTube channel each Wednesday, the Whiskey Wednesday raffle gives participants a chance to win rare and valuable bottles of whiskey at an affordable price point while helping the region. Raffle tickets are $5 and are available for purchase each week at give270.org. 

Give 270 is a local 501(c)(3) crowdfunding organization that raises money to benefit projects and organizations in the region. 

“Our region is lucky to have UWCK to support community members who need a hand up,” Eric Clemens, Chairman of the Give 270 Board of Directors, said. “As a community, our hope is that the community rallies around UWCK and supports this raffle. You never know when you might need to call on UWCK.”

Elizabethtown-based nonprofit Give 270 presented a $10,000 check to the Kentucky Chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA). The donation was made possible through proceeds from one Whiskey Wednesday Bourbon Raffle in April.

“We are excited to support the Kentucky Chapter of HDSA and are grateful to all the raffle participants who made this donation possible,” said Give 270 Board Chair Eric Clemens. “Beyond this donation, we are humbled by the courage, energy and effort provided by local advocate Kala Booth.”

A Cecilia resident, Booth is a Huntington’s Disease (HD) patient and local advocate for disease research and awareness. Last year, she shared her family’s struggles with the disease during a hearing for the Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee. 

“Give 270 has been a great partner to HDSA,” Booth said. “It has been my mission to raise awareness of HD both on a local and national level, and this raffle has allowed us to raise funds, but more importantly, let others know about HD.” 

Huntington’s Disease is a genetic brain disease that can cause a variety of symptoms, such as personality changes, mood swings, depression, forgetfulness, impaired judgment, involuntary movements, slurred speech, difficulty in swallowing and significant weight loss. HDSA provides community services, education, advocacy and research pertaining to the disease. 

Give 270 is a local 501(c)(3) crowdfunding organization that raises money to benefit projects and organizations in Hardin, LaRue and Meade counties.