As the holiday season approaches, the UK Center for Community Outreach is once again coordinating the Circle of Love outreach program to bring Christmas to Lexington’s underprivileged children.

Circle of Love has been going strong for the past 20 years, said Jillian Pyatte, assistant director of civic engagement for UK Student Organizations and Activities.

Pyatte said the department works with Family Resource counselors at Fayette County elementary schools.

“They identify the children in need at their schools, as well as their siblings,” she said.  

Roughly 500 to 600 children are provided for each year through Circle of Love sponsors.

The program works by sponsors purchasing three to four items per child, such as clothing, a toy or a wish list item.

Wish lists can be picked up at the Student Involvement Ticket Center inside Bowman’s Den, on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Purchased gifts are to be returned unwrapped along with the wish lists to the Singletary Center President’s Room on Monday, Nov. 27, and Tuesday, Nov. 28, according to Pyatte.  

The wish lists can also be picked up and dropped off at the following locations, listed below according to the UK HealthCare website:

Chandler Hospital:

Monday, Nov. 20 through Wednesday, Nov. 22

Monday, Nov. 27 through Friday, Dec. 1

Location and time

Circle of Life Wall, Chandler Hospital, Pavilion A, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kentucky Clinic (near Big Blue Deli on the third floor), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

*Wish lists will not be available at this location on Nov. 17.

Drop off: Dec. 4-5, Pavilion A atrium, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Good Samaritan Hospital:

Monday, Nov. 20 through Wednesday, Nov. 22

Location and time

Cafeteria, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Drop off: Dec. 4-5, Administration office, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.