FRANKFORT, Ky. — More than 5,000 Kentuckians have died because of COVID-19. To honor those lost to the pandemic, Gov. Andy Beshear launched the Team Kentucky COVID-19 Memorial Fund. The money raised will be used to erect a permanent memorial on the Capitol grounds. 

Beshear announced plans for the memorial during a ceremony on Saturday, March 6, the first anniversary of Kentucky's first confirmed coronavirus case. He said, "This memorial is an opportunity for willing Kentuckians to help honor the memory of those who died because of this virus as well as honor the sacrifices made by all Kentuckians during this terrible pandemic.” Beshear added, “This memorial will also remind future generations of the hardships that the entire commonwealth endured during this difficult time and the sacrifices we all made to overcome it.”

Contributions can be made in the name of a lost loved one or friend or in the name of someone who has sacrificed and stepped up during the pandemic.

Any money left over after the construction of the monument will help reimburse a portion of burial and funeral costs to the families of Kentuckians who died because of COVID-19.

All donations to the memorial fund are tax-deductible. The governor says artists will soon be asked to submit ideas and proposals on the monument's design.