Organizers hope ‘Millionaire’s Weekend’ drawing will kickstart Sander’s Park donations

Above, the Samuel Culbertson Mansion on historic "Millionaire’s Row" in Louisville will host winners of the millionaire’s weekend giveaway.

Around $50,000 in donations is needed to pay for a bronze statue of Kentucky Fried Chicken founder Colonel Harland Sanders, and leaders of a non-profit group supporting construction of the park are hoping to get a big boost toward that goal in just one day.

April 9 has been designated as “Kentucky Gives Day” and Friends of Colonel Sanders Inc. is a registered, non-profit charity group that hopes to use the day to get some publicity, and money, for their cause.

“It’s a way for non-profits to raise as much money as they can in 24 hours,” said Sharae Myers, former Corbin Main Street Manager and member of Friends of Colonel Sanders.

“They will be promoting this statewide where people can give to non-profits they want to support. We think this is an excellent opportunity for our non-profit to promote our project and explain to people what it is.”

According to the official website for the effort: “Kentucky Gives Day is a 24-hour online fundraising event bringing charities and Kentuckians together for a powerful day of action. Our goal is to raise as much money as possible – giving every Kentuckian the opportunity to support causes they care about and giving charitable nonprofits the opportunity to share their story – all through a single online giving site and in just 24 hours!”

The officials website for Kentucky Gives Day is kygives.razoo.com.

To sweeten the deal, many non-profit groups offer incentives for people to give.

Myers said donations given to Friends of Colonel Sanders on Kentucky Gives Day will receive the typical fundraising incentives currently being offered: $100 donations will receive a personalize “legacy brick” in the park, $500 for a larger “legacy paver” and $2,500 for a special bronze plaque.

In addition, Myers said a special prize, a millionaires weekend in Louisville, will be up for grabs for anyone who donates. Each $100 a person donates will give them a chance in a drawing for the weekend getaway that can be used some time in June.

The millionaire’s weekend includes accommodation at the Samuel Culbertson Mansion, a bed and breakfast located on the original “Millionaires Row” in historic Louisville. Winners will stay in the “Little Colonel Suite.”

“It’s the nicest suite they have,” Myers said. “It’s just a beautiful home in a great part of Louisville. It will really be something special for anyone who wins the package.”

Also included will be two tickets for special nighttime racing at Churchill Downs called “Downs After Dark.” Tickets will provide access to special Millionaires Row seating, a reserved table and dinner.

The package also consists of a special VIP Tour of the Evan Williams bourbon distillery, vouchers for use at any KFC restaurant and special gourmet breakfast on Sunday morning at the Culbertson Mansion.

“The gentleman that owns the Culbertson Mansion is very excited that we worked with Yum! Brands and chose their facility instead of just some big hotel,” Myers said. “We really thought this would provide something more special and memorable.”

All donations made to Friends of Colonel Sanders during Kentucky Gives Day will go toward purchase of the bronze statue of Colonels Sanders, which will be the centerpiece of Sander’s Park.