2018 Rogers Scholar Cooper Collins of Knox County is continuing his community service project with two events to support the UK DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic.
Collins, a graduate of The Center for Rural Development’s Rogers Scholars program, helped organize the Ella Collins Memorial Night Scramble, which is planned for this Saturday, Oct. 19, starting at 3 p.m., to be followed by a chili dinner after the first nine holes. The second round is set to begin at dusk and will end once all teams are finished.
The second event, 2019 KC DanceBlue, will be held from 6 p.m.-midnight on Nov. 2. There will be performances from local cheer and dance teams, dancing, a silent auction, and various games.
Collins helped create KC DanceBlue Team Sydnee to support a young woman in Knox County who was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
“Danceblue teams are just another way to raise money for the fund through team T-shirts, bracelet sales, and other fundraising,” said Collins, a student at Knox Central High School. “Also, these teams help to show the community’s support for those currently fighting the battle.”
Proceeds from both fundraising events will be donated to the UK DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic.
“This project means more than I can ever express in words,” Collins said. “It has changed me tremendously knowing that I am able to help a multitude of young, sick children and their families through the love and support of the UK DanceBlue Clinic.”
This is the second year Collins has helped raise funds for KC DanceBlue.
During last year’s KC DanceBlue fundraising event, Collins raised $4,621 through the sale of T-shirts, bracelets, and local donations, to support his cousin Samuel, who was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia.
DanceBlue is a University of Kentucky student-run organization that fundraises year-round and culminates in a 24-hour dance marathon. The money raised through DanceBlue and DanceBlue fundraising events is donated to the Golden Matrix Fund, established to support the kids of the DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Hematology/Oncology Clinic and to support research at the UK Markey Cancer Center.
Collins, a Rogers Scholars Ambassador, is the son of Dave and Amy Collins of Barbourville.
