April 14, 2015 Louisville, KY. –Each year, the Kentucky Derby Festival presents the Fifth Third Bank Silver Horseshoe Award to an individual or organization for their outstanding service to the community. This year’s award will be given to honor the late Jim King. The award will be presented at the 59th annual They’re Off! Luncheon on Friday, April 17, at the Galt House East Hotel. Accepting the award will be Jim’s wife, Debbie King. As part of the award, the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation – the Derby Festival’s charitable arm – will also present a $5,000 check to the Leukemia & Lymphoma society, a special charity for the King family.
“I had the pleasure of working with Jim through his volunteer service on the Derby Festival’s Board, as well as during his time on the Metro Council. He always worked to make Louisville better,” said Mike Berry, KDF President and CEO. “We couldn’t think of a better way to honor his memory and all he’s done for our community.”
Jim King served his community in countless ways, most notably through his seat on the Louisville Metro Council, to which he was first elected in 2004. He was elected the Council’s president in 2008, and was re-elected to serve an unprecedented five terms. He was known to give his attention to every matter that came before him. He also served on many boards, including the Kentucky Derby Festival Board of Directors. A family man and businessman, he cared deeply about his community and was a dedicated public servant.
Said his son Jimmy King, “Dad loved the Kentucky Derby Festival and all that it stands for. Our family is deeply touched by this recognition and know that he would be honored by such a wonderful acknowledgement of his passion for the Derby Festival and his community.”
“Fifth Third is proud to sponsor the Silver Horseshoe Award, as we honor the contributions that Jim King made to our community, and the great work of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in the fight against cancer,” said Tom Partridge, President and CEO Fifth Third Bank Kentucky. “Helping to find a cure is a major platform for Fifth Third, and we value this opportunity to partner with the KDF Foundation to help make a difference in our community.”
The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation – the Derby Festival’s charitable arm – will present a check for $5,000 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society – Kentucky and Southern Indiana, in memory of Jim. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.
“The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society appreciates this generous donation from the Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation in memory of Jim King,” said Debby Phillips, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Kentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter. “The King family has been selfless in their work with LLS and always focused on helping other patients and their families obtain the care and assistance they need.”
The Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation, a 501(c ) 3 not-for-profit charity, was established in 1998. The Foundation receives and manages charitable contributions on behalf of the Kentucky Derby Festival, Inc., and is dedicated to providing assistance for charities in the community. Since its inception, the Foundation has given more than $350,000 to support other non-profit agencies and charitable causes.
