For Immediate Release

CENTRAL KENTUCKY RESPONDS TO BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE BLUEGRASS’S PLEA FOR DONATIONS; ERIC WARD HIRED

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 3, 2012)—Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass issued an update about Central Kentucky’s response to Friday’s emergency plea for donations.

 “Friends of the organization, including businesses, individuals and organizations, called and clicked to pledge nearly $50,000 to help Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass continue to maintain our current matches (420),” said Alan Stein, retired minor league baseball executive, president of Stein Group and former Big Brother. “So far, the support has been encouraging.”

 Stein acknowledged significant contributions from Thomas & King, Georgetown College and the Central Kentucky Blood Center, among others. He also announced that Rick Ford at iHigh, Inc. has offered to collect one-time donations on a specially-created website: www.ihigh.com/bbbslex/.

 “We’re off to a good start, but with a monthly operating budget of $60,000, our current financial situation remains day-to-day,” said Stein. “Our biggest fundraiser, Bowl for Kids’ Sake, starts next week in Madison County, and if we can make it until those county-wide events start generating donations, we’re hopeful we’ll be able to avoid closure.”

 Stein encouraged the public to assemble teams of five friends, family members, coworkers and/or classmates to hit the lanes in upcoming months to raise money for the organization.

 Stein announced the hiring of a new executive director for the organization, Eric Ward. Ward is an experienced fundraiser who served as Georgetown College’s athletic director and co-director of the Cincinnati Bengals Preseason Training Camp from 2002 until 2011. He is currently an adjunct professor at EKU and was previously an adjunct faculty member at both Georgetown College and Midway College. Ward holds a Master’s degree in physical education and sports administration from EKU and a Bachelor’s degree in education and recreation administration from Auburn University.

 “We are excited to have Eric join our organization,” said Stein. “And under his leadership, we will win this battle.”

 Stein thanked those members of the public who have made donations and encouraged others to do the same.

 For information about Bowl for Kids’ Sake and/or to make a donation, call 1-800-201-8797, visit www.bbbs-bluegrass.org or stop in any Central Bank location.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass

It is the mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass to provide children facing adversity with strong, enduring, professionally-supported, one-to-one relationships that change a child’s life for the better, forever. Headquartered in Lexington and supported with satellite offices around Central Kentucky, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass serves children in Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford Counties. For more information and/or to donate, call 1-800-201-8797 or visit www.bbbs-bluegrass.org.