Fr. David Kennedy (right), pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish in Earlington, presents a check for $8,018 to Door of Hope Pregnancy Care Center’s executive director, Mack Wells, outside of the facility on Dec 3.The check represents one-third of the donations raised for “Bluegrass on Beshear” in 2020. Event co-host Jeff Smith (left) from the Knights of Columbus Blessed Trinity Council looks on. COURTESY OF LAURA SMITH
‘Bluegrass on Beshear’ fundraiser distributes $24,054 to local life-affirming pregnancy centers
BY JEFF SMITH, SPECIAL TO THE WESTERN KENTUCKY CATHOLIC
The annual one-day charity music fest “Bluegrass on (Lake) Beshear” could not be held this year due to COVID-19 concerns. However, during October and November, my wife Laura and I, as co-hosts with the Knights of Columbus, asked the public to donate in the event’s name to support the continuing needs of local pro-life pregnancy care centers.
Area businesses, community organizations, churches and individuals responded impressively, donating $24,054. This shattered “Bluegrass on Beshear’s” previous record total – $16,056 in 2019.
We were gratified by the public’s response.
“It’s wonderful to see so many people and businesses reach deep to support the great work of our pregnancy care centers,” said Laura. “This has been a difficult year for everyone but the generosity of our community is overwhelming.”
Proceeds from “Bluegrass on Beshear” are divided equally between three life-affirming pregnancy care centers: Alpha PCC in Hopkinsville, Door of Hope in Madisonville and H.O.P.E. Clinic of Benton and Eddyville.
On Dec. 3, each center received a check for $8,018 from “Bluegrass on Beshear.” The faith-based pregnancy care centers offer comprehensive services, including ultrasounds to determine viability of pregnancies, STD testing, mentoring, education for new parents, adoption referral and material support through the baby’s second year. All services are at no cost to clients.
Jeff Smith writes from Dawson Springs.
Originally printed in the January 2021 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.