LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It’s the intersection of adventure and generosity. On Aug. 24, The United Way of Central Kentucky will hold its Skydive for Change Fundraiser. Volunteers will jump out of a plane to support Operation Good Neighbor, an effort to raise money for critical home repairs.

What You Need To Know

  • The United Way of Central Kentucky will hold its Skydive for Change Fundraiser

  • Volunteers will jump out of a plane to support Operation Good Neighbor, an effort to raise money for critical home repairs.

  • Skydive Kentucky will feature 32 participants who will leap from 12,000 feet. Each jumper is committing to raise $1,500 which will directly benefit Operation Good Neighbor

  • The goal is to raise $50,000 through Skydive for Change

Hardin County magistrate and real estate broker Aaron Pennington says his neighbor, Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith, invited him to support the program.

“So being in real estate, you know, I have an attraction towards houses and fixing them and, you know, helping people with their houses. So this is literally another element that I can add that another way that I can help the community in that aspect,” said Pennington.

Smith says he has jumped once before and is looking forward to doing it again for a good cause.

“We’re a few years past COVID. I think COVID revealed a lot of things in our community. And there are a lot of folks who haven’t fully recovered from that economically, financially, and they’re struggling with some things. This is an easy way to help,” said Smith.

Director of Community Engagement with United Way of Central Kentucky Brianne Smith says this is a unique opportunity to invest in the community and its neighbors. The program accepts applications from those who need critical repairs made to their home, and who aren’t either financially or physically able to make those repairs.

“When we say critical repairs, we mean repairs such as ramps going into homes, deck repair. We have a woman whose bathroom floor is in shambles and, literally, she’s afraid to walk on it and is the only bathroom in her home. So really, really critical repairs that impact one’s daily life,” explained Smith. 

Skydive Kentucky will feature 32 participants who will leap from 12,000 feet. Each jumper is committing to raise $1,500, which will directly benefit Operation Good Neighbor. Both Smith and Pennington say every dollar will affect their neighbors in the most positive way.

“I know there are a lot of people in our community with great potential. They just have a stumbling block in their way. If we can get that stumbling block out of their way, they’re going to be running and flying,” said Smith.

“So just being able to contribute when you have the opportunity and you are fortunate and help the people that are less fortunate in any opportunity that you can. It really changes people’s lives,” said Pennington.

The goal is to raise $50,000 through Skydive for Change. Skydive Kentucky will host Skydive for Change on Aug. 24 and is still searching for participants willing to sky dive at the event while raising funds.

You can sign up and register for the event online.

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