Community Service

Sixteen $1,200 Scholarships
KRTA's scholarship fund bears the name of the founder of the Kentucky Teachers Retirement System, N.O. Kimbler. The N.O. Kimbler Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to encourage promising students in the field of education. A committee of five KRTA members assumed the responsibility of managing the Fund in 1982. One scholarship is awarded in each of the sixteen community colleges in Kentucky. They are funded by interest earned on the investments (from individual and local REA contributions) of the Fund. In addition, KRTA contributes one-half of the annual earnings from the Association's investments.

With Our Youth! Promising New Opportunities!
This project originated with an appeal for committed volunteer service to our nation's youth issued at the President's Summit for America's Future in Philadelphia in 1997. It involves making a pledge to spend time with youth in our communities. Retired educators are already involved in volunteer projects such as reading to a child, assisting in the classroom, helping with unique projects. Commitment is at the local level. KRTA will coordinate and tally the activities throughout the state.

"Kentucky Grandparent of the Year" Essay Contest for Fifth Graders. In partnership with Kentucky AARP, local RTA association presidents are asked to coordinate the activity in their counties. AARP presents awards to the school, county and district winners. The winning student and his/her grandparent is honored at the Annual KRTA Convention in Louisville in April each year. The state winner receives a $100 savings bond and an educational trip to the State Capitol.

Veterans' History Project
In 2004, KRTA and AARP worked together to participate in the national Veterans' History Project and collect the personal stories of Kentucky's veterans from WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf wars.

KET Support
The project Friends of KET originated with an appeal from KET for partnering in support of the best TV. Acceptance of the request does not cost anything; KRTA simply became a group supporter. Members are asked to contribute in the name of KRTA when they make their annual contributions to KET. KRTA holds the distinction of being the largest first-year contributor with $10,000 contributed by its members in 1999. KRTA now holds the
distinction of being second to the KY. Medical Association (KMA) in contributions by its members with $60,000+ for the 2004-2005 fiscal year.

Local Community Service Projects
The 118 local associations report one or more community projects annually. Examples are: supplies for special needs students, food drives, donations to displaced workers and tornado and flood victims, school career days, personal care items to nursing homes, sponsor 55-Alive training, award scholarship to local student and teach local history.

Volunteer Service
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of NRTA in 1997, retired teachers throughout the nation tallied their volunteer hours. Hours were reported to local, state, and national RTAs. Kentucky retirees reported more than 190,000 hours of time during that year. The volunteered time was valued at $2,473,367. In the past, Governors Patton and Fletcher have praised the Association for its work and signed a proclamation recognizing "the importance of retired teachers." KRTA members continue to volunteer in their respective communities and report their hours. In 2007-08, they reported 611,540 volunteer hours valued at $11.9 Million.

Examples of agencies/services included in the volunteers' reports are: Literacy Program, Blood Drive, American Cancer Society "Relay for Life", American Red Cross, Senior Citizen Programs, Local Bicentennial Celebration and Heritage Days, Salvation Army, Family Care Center, Tutoring, Tax Aid/Adult Education, hospitals, Historical Society, Headstart Career Development, Foster Grandparents.

Kentuckians For Health Care Reform
KRTA joined the Kentuckians for Health Care Reform in 1995.

Kentucky United For Children and Families
In 1998 KRTA joined Kentucky United for Children and Families in an effort to increase the visibility of children and family issues in the State of Kentucky.

American Cancer Society
The KRTA Executive Council approved participation in the Tell a Friend program sponsored by the American Cancer Society to promote interest and concern not only for retired educators but for all seniors. The statistics are alarming when we see that the mammography rate in Kentucky is only 34.8 percent, with many counties having a much lower rate. Local organizations may become involved in various ways, including simply contacting friends who may not get regular mammograms. Volunteers are trained so as to become more informed about breast cancer and mammography and feel more comfortable talking to friends in the community. For information call 1-800-ACS-2345. Breast cancer detected in its early stages is highly curable, and mammography is the best tool available for early detection. So Tell a Friend — a mammogram could save her life.

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