Paxton Challenge for Charities Raises Record $855k

A local charity has raised more than $855,000 for area non-profit organizations.

People gathered to Walker Hall Thursday to celebrate the 2019 annual Fred Paxton Challenge that raised $855,440, a new record for the event which raised $618,000 last year.  A total of 23 non-profit organizations raised money for charity over the last 90 days, with up to $10,000 in matched funds from the Paxton Foundation.  This is the 18th year the foundation has been holding the fundraising event, which has raised nearly $6 million since it started in the year 2000.

The 23 organizations non-profits that participated in this years event are: Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club, The Carson Center for the Performing Arts, Cassidy's Cause Therapeutic Riding Academy, Child Watch Counseling Advocacy Center, Community Foundation of West Kentucky, Easter Seals West Kentucky Inc, Family Service Society Inc, Hope Unlimited Family Care Center, Lotus, Market House Theatre, Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center, Paducah Art House Alliance, Paducah Cooperative Ministry, Paducah - McCracken Co. Habitat for Humanity, Paducah Public Schools Foundation, Paducah Symphony Orchestra, River Discovery Center, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tri-State, Starfish Orphan's Ministries, Sunrise Children's Services, The Rhythm Factory, and the United Way of Paducah - McCracken Co.

Tony Watkins with the Community Foundation of West Kentucky told West Kentucky Star that the event brings the spotlight to the non-profits that don't normally get the recognition they deserve.

"It's community wide. I like to bring them together to celebrate what they do, not only for this, but to celebrate what they do for the community all year long. Non-profits don't get the recognition for what they do for the community. It's healthy to bring organizations together." Watkins said. "we came together to make history yesterday, and raised more money than they said we could raise in a nonprofit setting."

Watkins says they're going to change their focus slightly moving forward, from starting endowments to building up endowments.