Circle of Love

Circle of Love invites the University of Kentucky community to help provide gifts for the holidays to students and families in Fayette County Public Schools who demonstrate financial need. According to September 2026 data from the Fayette County Public Schools Free and Reduced Reports website , 48.77% of students at public schools in Fayette County receive free or reduced lunches. Many of these students spend the holidays facing financial troubles rather than enjoying the break and playing with gifts. Circle of Love is an opportunity for UK community members to come together to support local students and spread holiday cheer.

Circle of Love asks you to sponsor a child this holiday season! Our hope is to assist as many students as we can. This could mean giving gifts and/or essential clothing items. When you sign up to sponsor a student, Circle of Love will provide a list of desired items from a child enrolled in Fayette County Public Schools. 

Purchasing guidelines:

• Purchase 1-2 gifts for the child that you sponsor (1-2 toys OR 1 toy and 1 clothing item).
• Return gifts unwrapped (but feel free to include a roll of gift-wrapping paper and tape). 
• Please do not put any personal messages, photographs, or your name with the gifts. 
• Please write your child's name and school code on the bag.
• Consider donating a store gift card or extra clothes/toys for other children who do not get sponsored. No cash can be accepted. 
• Please return gifts Nov.30th - Dec. 2nd to the Gatton Student Center Ballroom C (on the second floor) from 8 am to 5 pm. The Student Center address is 160 Avenue of Champions, Lexington, KY 40506.

On average, wish lists from students cost anywhere from $80-$100 to sponsor. Based on the wished-for items on each list, sponsors can determine if a wished-for list falls within their budget. Sponsors are not required to spend any certain amount of money, as long as the list is fulfilled.

If you have any questions, please contact Helen Padilla Casas at Helen.Padilla@uky.edu