Hilltoppers With Heart, sponsored by Passport Health Plan, was founded in 2011 and is designed to give WKU student-athletes, coaches and staff the unique opportunity to make an impact in the community by volunteering time and talent with numerous organizations including The United Way, Boys and Girls Clubs, local schools and many more. In 2013-14, WKU accumulated over 1,000 hours of community service, and in 2014-15 the goal will be significantly higher. Passport Health Plan is a provider-sponsored, non-profit, community-based Medicaid health plan that has been contracted with Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services to administer Medicaid benefits since 1997. Medicaid members can choose Passport to be their health care provider, and as of June 30, 2014, there are more than 6,300 Passport members living in Region 4, which includes Warren County and the campus of Western Kentucky University.
Here is a look at some of the things WKU Athletics is doing around South Central Kentucky:
WKU Swimming and Diving volunteed at the Bowl For Kids Sake event on March 5-7 to benefit Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Central Kentucky. They contributed 87 volunteer hours at the event.
WKU hosted its annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Clinic in late January with WKU Cheer, WKU Volleyball and WKU Soccer all assiting in the clinic. Lady Topper Basketball coach Michelle Clark-Heard also spoke briefly with the participants prior to tipoff of that day's game.
WKU Volleyball participated in Read Across America on March 2.
WKU Athletic held a food drive in February and March as part of United Way's Feed the Need food drive, collecting items in various athletic facilities during WKU athletic events.
WKU Cheer participated in the Penguin Plunge, including coach Josh Bewley.
WKU Track and Field, WKU Football and WKU Swimming assisted in the recent Jesus Prom in Bowling Green.
WKU Cheer helped staff the recent Family Enrichment Center Fun Run Fundraiser, contributing over 120 hours of effort to the event.
WKU Lady Topper Basketball guard Alexis Govan spoke at a Leadership Luncheon in February at Cumberland Trace.
WKU Volleyball participated in a Leadership Breakfast at Bowling Green Junior High School, speaking with 27 students in grades 6-8 about leadership skills.
WKU Softball continues its efforts with Red Across America and their Big Red Readers program, spending over 60 hours reading in January at Parker Bennett, Dishman, Potter Grey, T.C. Cherry, W.R. McNeil and Jody Richards Schools.
WKU Football's auction of game-used footballs from the Army game allowed proceed to benefit Textbooks for Troops.
WKU Soccer hosted its third Friends of Jaclyn 7v7 Tournament at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium in March and raised over $1,200.00 for the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. The tournament served as a charity event benefitting the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. In total, the event raised $1,217 to support FOJ and brings the three-year tournament fundraising effort total to $6,028.50.
WKU Athletics hosted its annual Critter Classic games in conjunction with men's basketball and women's basketball games in February and March to benefit the Bowling Green/Warren County Humane Society.
