With volunteers cleaning neighborhoods, donating bikes to refugees, building beds for local youth and collecting canned goods and personal care items, Mayor Greg Fischer’s eighth annual Give A Day Week of Service made a big impact on the city and amounted to more than 235,000 acts of volunteerism and compassion during the week that ended Saturday, April 20, 2019.

That surpassed Louisville’s own 2018 world record of about 205,000 volunteers and acts of compassion.

The Mayor, who started Give A Day in 2011 and has since expanded it to eight days that now occur as part of the Kentucky Derby Festival, said seeing the city join together to help each other out was inspiring and encouraging.  

“What we saw this week was a true outpouring of compassion and shows the big impact each of us can have on our community by simply showing up and helping someone out,” Mayor Fischer said. “I’m inspired each year by seeing the new and creative ways people can chip in to keep our Give A Day effort growing, and by living our city core value of compassion during our week of service, and 365 days a year.”

The annual count is an estimate based on volunteers and groups who reported their work and acts of compassion, such as donated meals and other items. The success of Give A Day would not be possible without the support and coordination of Metro United Way, which matches volunteers with projects and organizations through the website, www.mygiveaday.com.

“Service is at the heart of what Metro United Way does every day, and we’re so proud to partner with Mayor Fischer for his Give a Day Week of Service,” said Theresa Reno-Weber, President and CEO of Metro United Way. “Uplifting this week of service is critical to our community, but we also understand that service is necessary and needed all year long. Continuing to build a stronger, more vibrant community through service will help every person live life to its fullest potential.” 

The 2019 Give A Day numbers included more than 17,000 volunteers who joined the Brightside & Passport Health Plan Spring Community-Wide Cleanups, removing litter and debris from neighborhoods, parks and schools.

60,000 Jefferson County Public Schools students and teachers joined together for a variety of projects throughout the week from cleaning up playgrounds and collecting donations for Louisville Metro Animal Services to volunteering at Family Scholar House.

Random Acts of Kindness, a nonprofit started by JCPS student Andrew Dunn, joined the Mayor, the Kentucky Derby Princesses and more than 700 Barret Middle School students, parents and staff to make 3,361 breakfast burritos to be delivered to homeless and local food pantries.

WE Day’s Walk for Compassion drew 4,100 students and teachers from across the Commonwealth who participated in service projects and donated 72,500 personal care items for the creation of 18,125 personal care kits.

Now more than ever, the Mayor said, he was proud of the local companies and employees that stepped up to volunteer and host events during the week.

Texas Roadhouse partnered with the Louisville Parks Foundation and Summer Blessings to fill 8,000 bags of food that will be handed out to children at Louisville community centers during the summer. Volunteers from GE Appliances, Walgreens, Kentucky Distillers Association, Brown-Forman, Republic Bank, Enterprise and Heine Brothers’ Coffee made repairs and spruced up the Volunteers of America’s Shelby Street Campus. And 42 volunteers from Michelin/American Synthetic Rubber Corporation joined New Directions Housing Corporation to bring much-needed home repairs to a homeowner in south Louisville.

Presbyterian Center USA brought 500 volunteers to assemble 1,500 hygiene kits, while the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary sent 300 student volunteers on cleanups throughout the city. Dare to Care collected 38,000 pounds of food from local Kroger stores. 

2019 Give A Day week of service — Notable Numbers:

• 327,699 total volunteer hours given to projects during Give A Day Week 2019
• 38,000 pounds of food donated through Kroger and Dare to Care food drives
• 17,456 Brightside volunteers cleaned up neighborhoods and parks in Louisville
• 4,400 thank you notes written by Global Game Changers
• $800 raised by Lucy Lu Bakes’ online bake sale with proceeds going to Scarlet’s Bakery
• 198 units of blood donated at Red Cross blood drives
• 158 beds built for JCPS students

Mayor Greg Fischer today announced promotions for multiple Louisville Metro Government officials who have been running the Louisville Metro Office for Performance Improvement, Louisville Metro Criminal Justice Commission, the Transit Authority of River City, Louisville Free Public Library, Louisville Metro Parks & Recreation, Louisville Metro Department of Economic Development, and Louisville Metro Office for Housing and Community Development on an interim basis.

Carmen Moreno-Rivera

Moreno-Rivera has been appointed Chief of the Office for Performance Improvement (OPI). She brought her expertise and experience to Louisville Metro Government from UPS in 2017 and was named Interim Chief of Metro OPI last fall to replace Daro Mott.

“I made a commitment to continuous, data-driven improvement from Day One as mayor, and Metro OPI is now a national model,” said Mayor Fischer. “Carmen Moreno-Rivera has quickly proven that she is a leader and an innovator worthy of OPI’s reputation.”

Moreno-Rivera was with UPS from 2003 to 2017, ultimately serving as Air Region Operations Excellence Manager.

“I am excited and grateful for the opportunity to serve our residents and Metro employees through the continued success of OPI,” said Moreno-Rivera. “I am committed to using data analysis and innovative problem solving to drive continuous improvement and efficiency in our government processes.”

Metro OPI provides management consulting services to Louisville Metro Government. Staff members facilitate cross-functional teams to help solve problems and train Metro leadership, managers, and employees in continuous improvement methodologies and project management.

Faith Augustine

Augustine has been appointed Executive Director of the Louisville Metro Criminal Justice Commission.

Augustine has been on the Criminal Justice Commission staff for 15 years and was named Interim Executive Director last fall after the retirement of Kim Allen. Prior to becoming Interim Executive Director, Augustine served as Public Protection Coordinator for the Commission.

“Faith Augustine is a model public servant with the right mix of experience and skills to take on a vital role at the center of our city’s No. 1 priority, public safety,” Mayor Fischer said. “We’re facing challenging times that will require even greater coordination, planning, and understanding of public safety, and demonstrated leaders like Faith will be more important than ever.”

The Criminal Justice Commission works to improve the administration of justice and promote public safety through planning, research, education, and system-wide coordination of criminal justice and public safety initiatives. The 27-member Commission Board is comprised of key local, state, and federal criminal justice and public safety representatives, Louisville Metro Government officials, and citizens representing the community.

“I’m honored to serve as Director and to work with the Criminal Justice Commission Board in a new capacity,” said Augustine.

Ferdinand Risco Jr.

Risco has been appointed Executive Director at the Transit Authority of River City (TARC). He was named Interim Executive Director at TARC last fall, when he took over for J. Barry Barker, who retired after directing the public transit agency for almost 25 years.

A veteran of the public transit sector and the military, Risco joined TARC in 2017. Prior to TARC, he was executive director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Association.

“The TARC Board and I appreciate Ferdinand’s hard work to ensure a smooth transition following the retirement of Barry Barker. I look forward to working together to continue enhancing the transportation opportunities in the Greater Louisville region,” said Cedric Powell, Chairman, TARC Board of Directors.

The region’s primary bus service, TARC serves more than 41,000 daily riders on 43 routes in Jefferson, Bullitt, and Oldham counties in Kentucky and Clark and Floyd counties in southern Indiana.

“It is a great privilege to be appointed to this position,” Risco said. “TARC is a dedicated organization, with a hard-working and committed workforce. Together — as members of the community we serve — we look forward to continuing to improve the customer experience and bring about important and necessary progress in economic development. I am honored to represent TARC and the Greater Louisville Region as we continue to lead the industry in providing innovative and reliable mobility solutions.”

Lee Burchfield

Burchfield has been appointed Director of the Louisville Free Public Library (LFPL). He was named Interim Director of LFPL last fall upon the departure of Director Jim Blanton.

“Lee Burchfield is a true home-grown talent, having been with the Library since 1997,” said Mayor Fischer. “The library system is experiencing great momentum these days, and Lee has the vision and expertise to keep it moving forward.” 

Burchfield has held multiple posts with LFPL, including Assistant Director, Assistant Branch Manager, Electronic Resources Supervisor, Manager of Computer Services, and Director of Strategic Planning & Technology.

“I am humbled and excited to be entrusted with the leadership of the Louisville Free Public Library,” said Burchfield. “In my 22 years with LFPL, I have seen how much our library system is loved by and depended upon by residents of every part of Louisville Metro. We have a tremendously talented and dedicated staff, some of the country’s best library facilities, and a reputation for providing innovative and outstanding programming for the community.”

Dana Kasler

Kasler has been appointed Director at Louisville Metro Parks & Recreation. He has been Interim Director at Metro Parks & Recreation since last fall, when he replaced former Director Seve Ghose.

Kasler is a veteran of more than 26 years in parks and recreation administration. He joined Metro Parks & Recreation in early 2018, when he was named Assistant Director of Revenue Facilities. Prior to that, he was Director of Parks and Recreation in Parkland, Fla.

“The parks are among our city’s crown jewels,” said Mayor Fischer. “They are precious greenspace for recreation and community gatherings, as well as a place for peace and solitude. Dana Kasler was thrown into this job after a short time in Louisville, but he is clearly up to the task.”

“I’m honored and excited,” Kasler said. “We have one of the best park systems in the country and I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

Louisville Parks and Recreation is a nationally accredited parks and recreation agency that manages 120 parks and six parkways on more than 13,000 acres of land and operates recreation programs for all ages.

Rebecca Fleischaker

A veteran of the Louisville Metro Government team, Fleischaker has been appointed Director of the Department of Economic Development. She has been Interim Director of the department since January.

“Rebecca Fleischaker is the quintessential team player, and there is nothing you can throw at her that she can’t do,” said Mayor Fischer. “She has helped build Louisville Forward into one of the country’s most respected economic development efforts.”

Fleischaker has worked for three mayors and managed several successful large and visible projects, bringing new jobs and investment, and fruitful relationships to the city. Prior to taking the interim directorship, Fleischaker had been Deputy Director since 2014. She joined the newly merged Louisville Metro Government in 2003. Before that, she worked for former Mayor David Armstrong and in the private sector.

“I’m proud to represent Louisville, both residents and businesses in leading the Department of Economic Development,” said Fleischaker. “I am honored to work with a great team who make our city a great place to do business – whether small or large – and attract new jobs and talent.”

The Department of Economic Development is part of Louisville Forward, the city’s integrated approach to economic and community development, combining business attraction, expansion and retention activities, and talent and workforce attraction, with all of the city’s real estate development, land use and planning and design functions to present a unified solution for job growth and quality of place.

Marilyn Harris

Harris has been appointed Director of the Louisville Metro Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD). She has been Interim Director of OHCD since January. Harris joined Louisville Metro Government in August 2017 after nearly 20 years at the Kentucky Housing Corporation, most recently as Director of Housing Production.

“The work being done in our Office of Housing and Community Development is vital to the growth of our city,” said Mayor Fischer. “Marilyn Harris’ experience in community building and proven leadership will continue to strengthen our neighborhoods and uplift our residents. 

The Office of Housing and Community Development is part of Develop Louisville, which is housed in Louisville Forward, and is a critical arm supporting the city’s quality of place initiatives at the family and neighborhood levels.

“For the past 20 years, my career has been working for the betterment of the Commonwealth,” said Harris. “I am thrilled to now be able to use my knowledge, passion and experience to play an integral role in the development of my hometown.”

Council Members David Yates (D-25) and Rick Blackwell (D-12) invite the community to their annual Family Movie Night at the Southwest YMCA this coming Friday, April 26th featuring the 2018 animated film “Ralph Breaks the Internet”

 It’s a free event for the entire family.

 “This is a great way to kick off the weekend as Councilman Blackwell and I partner with the Southwest YMCA to host fun family events that everyone in the community will be able to enjoy in a safe and comfortable atmosphere,” said Yates. “Family Movie Night is now in its second year and we hope to have yet another great turnout.”

 “The Southwest YMCA does a tremendous job of offering family-friendly events for our community and this is a free night of fun for the family,”    says Blackwell. “It is also a good way to see what all the Southwest YMCA offers to the community.”

 Family Movie Night at the Southwest YMCA will be held from 6:00pm to 10:00pm. Families can enjoy activities from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm including:

• Hot dogs, ice cream and popcorn

• Inflatables, family games and face painting

• Movie on the lawn starts at 8:30pm Bring your blankets and chairs.

“Ralph Breaks the Internet” is the 2018 Walt Disney Studios sequel to “Wreck it Ralph”. It follows the adventures of two video images as they try to find new challenges on the World Wide Web.

 The Southwest YMCA is located at 2800 Fordhaven Road.

 For more information, contact Councilman Yates office at 574-1125 or Councilman Blackwell’s Office at 574-1112.

Mayor Greg Fischer today announced the city will welcome the CEO Action Check Your Blind Spots unconscious bias tour Monday, April 22 – Friday, April 26, 2019. The national bus tour is made possible by CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, the largest CEO-driven business commitment to improve diversity and inclusion within the workplace in the country.

Greater Louisville Inc., the Metro Chamber of Commerce and Lean Into Louisville, the Mayor’s initiative to confront the history and legacy of all forms of discrimination and inequality, partnered to bring the tour to Louisville.

“At a time when our country is experiencing a division, it’s important that we always be the change we want to see to bring a more diverse and inclusive community together,” said the Mayor. “We’re excited that CEO Action is partnering with Lean Into Louisville and many of our major employers and local universities to help us learn about our unconscious biases and show support for collaboration over competition.”

The tour is intended to help people recognize, acknowledge, and therefore minimize, any potential blind spots he or she might have but wasn’t aware of previously.

“While CEO Action’s Check Your Blind Spots tour addresses the importance of unconscious bias, it is also an opportunity to rediscover the common humanity that we all share. From helping CEOs drive change in the workplace to supporting communities across the country like Louisville to courageously face our society’s very real, difficult issues and find those connections through meaningful conversation is an honor,” said Shannon Schuyler, Principal, Chief Purpose Officer & Responsible Business Leader at PwC.

Through innovative tour activities that use virtual reality, gaming technology and more, attendees will have an introspective look at unconscious biases people face on a daily basis to better understand different perspectives and experiences.

Highly interactive tour activities include:

• Look Through a Different Lens: Via gamification and a digital viewfinder, participants watch an interaction between co-workers setting up a work-related event and then, identify moments when unconscious biases are demonstrated.
• Face Yourself, Face Reality: In front of a mirror, participants watch as their reflection fades away to reveal a different person staring back at them. Through this touchscreen experience, each new reflection shares a series of biases they’ve experienced.
• I Act On pledge: Attendees (and you) can join thousands nationwide in committing to checking our blind spots and changing our behaviors through the I Act On pledge.

Equally important, the tour is a jumpstart to create a meaningful conversation about how to be more inclusive in local workplaces and beyond and allows students, local businesses and community to join thousands nationwide in committing to action through the I Act On pledge.

In Louisville, five CEOs (Humana, Bruce Broussard; Kindred Healthcare, Ben Breier; Papa John’s, Steve Richie; University of Louisville, Dr. Neeli Bendapudi; Yum! Brands, Greg Creed) have already signed the CEO Pledge committing their organizations to cultivate a trusting environment where all ideas are welcomed and employees feel comfortable and empowered to discuss diversity and inclusion.

Additionally, CEOs from global companies that have a Louisville presence have signed the CEO Pledge, including Ford, EY, Genentech, JPMorgan Chase and UPS.

Mayor Fischer and Bellarmine University President Dr. Susan Donovan will sign the Pledge when Bellarmine University hosts the bus on Wednesday, April 24.

Louisville is the first city in the country to host the bus for a full work week.

Tour highlights:

• Monday, April 22, 2019: Humana will host the bus for its employees at its corporate campus in downtown Louisville. (Employees only)
• Tuesday, April 23, 2019: The University of Louisville will host the bus for a full day of interaction with its students and general public. (Open to the public, 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Gottschalk Hall, 2301 S Third St.)
  • Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) kicks off its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Series with Shannon Schuyler, PwC’s Chief Purpose Officer and Responsible Business Leader, and Presidents of the PwC Charitable Foundation, Inc. The series, presented by Papa John’s in partnership with the University of Louisville, will give the regional business community the platform to evaluate, expand and strengthen their companies’ policies, procedures and knowledge around diversity, equity and inclusion. The event will take place at UofL’s Swain Activities Center 7:30-9:30 a.m. Registration is $15 and can be purchased at registration@greaterlouisville.com
• Wednesday, April 24, 2019: Mayor Fischer will join the local business community, faith leaders and students to tour the bus at Bellarmine University and participate in a Conversation Café hosted by The Big Table. (Open to the public, 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m., 2001 Newburg Road)
• Thursday, April 25, 2019: Yum! Brands will host the bus at its corporate campus for its employees. (Employees only)
• Friday, April 26, 2019: Papa John’s will host the bus at its corporate headquarters for its employees. (Employees only)

In the wake of six current measles outbreaks throughout the United States, the University of Louisville Division of Infectious Diseases and the Department of Public Health and Wellness are teaming up to host two reduced-cost immunization clinics on for Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and chickenpox April 19 and April 20.

The clinics will be held at the University of Louisville Vaccine and International Travel Clinic at 501 E. Broadway, Suite 110, on Friday April 19 from 5 – 8 p.m. and on Saturday April 20 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Vaccines are $40.00 per dose and will be provided on a first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last.  This special rate is considerably less than the regular price of $80-$120 per dose for MMR vaccine and the $100-$150 per dose for chickenpox vaccine.  Because of the below-cost rate, insurance cannot be accepted at the clinic.  Cash, credit card and medical spending accounts will be accepted.

Anyone who falls into one or more of the following categories should be immunized:

• Adults who do not have evidence of receiving 2 doses of MMR vaccine in the past
• Children and adolescents under the age of 18 years should have received MMR vaccine and chickenpox vaccine from their pediatrician or primary care provider.  If not, they may come to one of the clinics for evaluation
• Adults who do not have evidence of receiving 2 doses of chickenpox vaccine and have not had diagnosed chicken pox
• Individuals preparing for international travel
• Adults previously vaccinated between 1963-1967 (typically, adults now in their fifties) when the measles vaccine administered may have been ineffective
• Adults previously vaccinated between 1963-1991 who may have received only a single dose of MMR vaccine
• Anyone wanting to be vaccinated who is unsure of their vaccination status.

Measles can be deadly, particularly in children; two to three out of every 1000 people infected will die from measles.  Measles is reemerging in the United States largely because of pockets of unvaccinated populations throughout the country.  As people travel outside the United States to countries where measles is prevalent and then return home, or when unvaccinated international travelers visit our country, the disease has the chance to spread among those who have not been immunized. 

“Many visitors will be traveling to Louisville for Derby, both from outside the United States where the disease is prevalent and from areas inside our country that are currently experiencing outbreaks. Our focus at the Vaccine and Travel Clinic is on illness prevention, and that’s why it’s so important to us that parents and children get immunized now,” said Dr. Ruth Carrico, of the Division of Infectious Diseases of the University of Louisville.

“Measles is one of our most contagious diseases and MMR is one of our most effective vaccines.  It’s totally unnecessary that children and adults should be unprotected against this deadly disease.  We urge everyone to be immunized,” said Dr. Lori Caloia, Medical Director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.

From January 1 to April 11, 2019, 555 individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 20 states. This is the second-greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since measles was eliminated in 2000.

Measles outbreaks of three or more cases had been reported in five states including Washington, New York City, New York’s Rockland County, Michigan, Illinois and California.  Fifteen other states, including Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Nevada, Oregon and Texas have also seen measles cases.  Louisville has not had any measles cases so far this year. Kentucky’s two cases involved unvaccinated children living in the south-central part of the state who had traveled outside the United States. 

Uninsured individuals can also receive MMR and chickenpox vaccines from the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness.  Phone 574-5380.

The Ohio River in Southwest Louisville will come alive with fireworks, fun, and a fresh musical line-up on Saturday, June 29th at the Riverview Independence Festival presented by Brown-Forman and Kosair Charities.

Rising country music star Stephanie Quayle will headline the Festival Stage. Stephanie offers a fresh sound, and relatable storylines that is unmatched in today’s country music scene. Her brand-new single “If I Was a Cowboy” was released in February 2019 and she was named CMT Next Women of Country Class of 2019.

Returning this year is up-and-coming country musician Shane Dawson. This singer songwriter from Mount Washington took the Riverview Stage last year and brings his high-energy pop country performances. Finally, local group Long Lost Country will be rounding out this year’s lineup featuring classic country and honky tonk hits.

“The Riverview Festival has become a southwest tradition and we have a beautiful venue to enjoy these fantastic performances,” said Blackwell. “If you are a fan of country music, this is one event you don’t want to miss!”

The Festival begins at 5:00 p.m. with performances continuing throughout the day until the fantastic fireworks display at 10:00 p.m.

Brown-Forman and Kosair have returned as Presenting Stars & Stripes Sponsors of the event. Café Press, WAVE3 News, Q103.1, LG&E, and Signarama Dixie are supporting as Proud Patriot Sponsors. Several Louisville Metro Councilmembers are have also contributed to this event including Councilman Rick Blackwell, Councilwoman Cindi Fowler, Councilman David Yates, Councilman Mark Fox, Councilman Kevin Triplett, Councilwoman Madonna Flood, Councilman Pat Mulvihill, Councilwoman Jessica Green and Councilman Anthony Piagentini.

For more information on event details including kids activities, parking, and food and drink vendors, visit the event website at www.RiverviewFestival.com  or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/riverviewfest/ .

The volume of yard waste set out for collection by residents of Louisville’s Urban Services District has been very heavy since the April 1 start of yard waste collection season. The high volume has led to delayed or missed collections in some cases.

To handle to high volume and get collection on schedule, the Solid Waste Management division of Louisville Metro Public Works has shifted the daily start time of yard waste collection. Crews are now starting out on their yard waste collection routes at noon instead of the previous 6 a.m. start time.

The noon start creates a better match between the availability of yard waste collection workers and equipment. That has reduced the need for overtime while increasing productivity and on-time collection.

The new schedule means the regular yard waste collection schedule will extend into the evening. However, residents should continue to set yard waste out by the morning of collection day. If yard waste has not been collected by 8 p.m. on the assigned day, residents should contact Metro311 the following morning at 311 or 574-5000.

The best way to reduce the need for collection and improve your yard is to follow the Love ‘Em and Leave ‘Em (LELE) practice of using your yard waste as fertilizer.

LELE Tips & Tricks:

• Set your mower to maximum height. Follow the one-third rule: never cut more than one-third of the total height of the grass when you mow.
• Don’t bag those clippings! Leaves and grass break down rapidly, releasing nutrients back into your soil. 
• Mulch leaves and landscape trimmings into your lawn. Mow over landscape trimmings and leaves without a grass catcher. To avoid hazards while mowing, make sure trimmings are no larger than a pencil.
• Start composting! With your own compost bin or pile you can recycle food scraps and yard waste into usable compost for your flower beds, gardens, potted plants, or other landscaping. More information

Learn more about yard waste at www.louisvilleky.gov/government/public-works/yard-waste