Louisville, KY— March 18, 2019 — Kosair Charities will partner with the Kentucky Derby Festival through special opportunities aimed at helping kids in our community take flight. Collaborations include educational components as well as exclusive experiences for Kosair Kids at the Humana miniMarathon/Marathon, the BB&T Great Balloon Fest, and Celebrity Day at the Downs.
“This is a unique collaboration between two organizations – Kosair Charities and Kentucky Derby Festival – that care so much about our entire community and allows Kosair Kids access to festival activities that otherwise would not be possible,” said Keith Inman, President of Kosair Charities.
“Creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences is what the Kentucky Derby Festival is all about,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. ”As a proud Kosair Shriner, I am honored that we can share our events with Kosair Charities and these Kosair Kids. They are an inspiration to all of us.”
See the full list of experiences and opportunities that are a part of this year’s Kosair Kids ® Take Flight partnership:
Official Charity Partner of KDF Foundation Student Art Contest – Open to students from public, private, and parochial schools in all Kentucky counties, as well as Clark and Floyd counties in Indiana, artwork could be submitted in five divisions. Kosair Charities, the charity partner, recognizes the need to provide enriching arts engagement for all youth, including special needs youth where art is such an integral part of their learning process. A special art awards ceremony will be held on March 19 at the J. Graham Brown School.
BB&T Great Balloon Race – Recognized by Louisville Magazine as Louisville’s “Best Event,” the 47th annual Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Race will come together with the 27th annual Kentucky Derby Festival Great Balloon Glow and other events to create the BB&T Kentucky Derby Festival Great BalloonFest. Kosair Charities has invited special Kosair Kid ®, Skylar Harrell (11), in remission for Burkett’s lymphoma, and his mom to take flight in one of the balloons during the Great Balloon Rush Hour Race at Bowman Field on Friday, April 26.
Celebrity Day at the Downs – While Hollywood celebrities will continue to highlight the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Celebrity Day at the Downs, this year, Kosair Kid ®, Lola Rosenbaum (8), who has Down syndrome, and her mom will be special guests at Thurby. This red-carpet experience will allow Lola to take flight in an once-in-a-lifetime environment.
Humana miniMarathon/Marathon KDF Charity Program – Kosair Charities President, Keith Inman will walk the Humana miniMarathon this year, and cross the finish line with VIP and Kosair Kid ®, Henry Hinson (6), born with the spinal defects spina bifida and Chiari II malformation. In addition to their participation, Kosair Charities is a Charity Partner, activating miniMarathon participants to use the race as a vehicle to raise awareness and funds to help children in our community.
About Kosair Charities: Kosair Charities enhances the health and well-being of children by delivering financial support for healthcare, research, education, social services, and child advocacy. We envision a world in which children in need live life to the fullest. For more information, please visit kosair.org.
About Kentucky Derby Festival: Since 1956, the Kentucky Derby Festival has worked to bring the community together in celebration. The Festival is an independent community organization supported by 4,000 volunteers, 400 businesses and civic groups, Pegasus Pin sponsorships and event participation. This involvement has made the Festival the largest single-attended event in Kentucky and one of the leading community celebrations in the world. For more information visit KDF.org
