2018 Rogers Scholar Kennedy Bruner planned and organized an end-of-the-school-year celebration at all three elementary schools in Garrard County to support Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest for her community service project. 

Proceeds from the “End of the Year Celebration! Bring on Summer!” fundraising event were donated to Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chests at the University of Kentucky Children’s Hospital. 

Wyatt’s Warriors, a nonprofit organization, is named in honor of a young cancer patient who, along with his grandfather, built and donated a toy chest filled with toys and other treasures to help cheer up pediatric patients at the hospital.    

“I volunteer at UK’s pediatric hospital through Wyatt’s Warriors Toy Chest,” said Bruner, a senior at Garrard County High School. “The children at the hospital battling cancer mean the world to me.”

Bruner raised $300 from the end-of-the-school-year fundraiser and collected toy donations to give to Wyatt’s Warriors.

“Without community support, Wyatt’s Warriors’ Toy Chest could not exist,” said a representative from the nonprofit organization. “Since we supply toys for prize chests, the bulk of our donations are tangible items, instead of monetary. We do not currently have an operating budget to solicit donations. Therefore, exposure of our cause is critical. Kennedy’s project gave us that needed exposure, while helping us collect donations.”

Bruner invited students from all three elementary schools in the county and distributed more than 600 flyers to let people know about the event. 

“In the end, it’s all about the children that we are impacting at the hospital,” Bruner said. “Thanks to the money we raised, we will be able to buy more toys and activities for the children at UK’s pediatric center.”

Bruner is the daughter of Alice and Jeremy Bruner.

Each Rogers Scholars graduate is required to complete a community service project within one year after graduating from the program.  

Rogers Scholars—The Center for Rural Development’s flagship youth program—is an intensive, one-week summer camp that provides valuable leadership experience and exclusive college scholarship opportunities to help rising high school juniors in Southern and Eastern Kentucky seize their full potential as the region’s next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.

For more information about Rogers Scholars, contact Allison Cross, community liaison and youth programs coordinator, at 606-677-6019 or email across@centertech.com. Visit www.centeryouthprograms.com to learn more about the Rogers Scholars program. 

Established in 1996 through the vision of U.S. Congressman Harold "Hal" Rogers, (KY-05), and other leaders, The Center for Rural Development is a nonprofit organization fueled by a mission to provide leadership that stimulates innovative and sustainable economic development solutions and a better way of life in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. In its 45-county primary service region, The Center provides innovative programs in leadership, public safety, technology, and arts and culture. The Center is committed to constantly expanding its capabilities in order to deliver a range of key services throughout Kentucky and the nation.