United Way of Ohio Valley Barrels of Heart Winners Celebrate Community

This year, the United Way of Ohio Valley is celebrating seventy-five years of serving local non-profits in Daviess, Hancock, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster counties.  A whole range of services is provided to the community through collective giving and collaboration.

Last year, after discovering a really cool and creative event out of Louisville, KY, Vikki Embry, Director of Community Investment & Impact was excited to bring a new fundraiser to life. It's called Barrels of Heart, and was so much fun, they had to make it happen again in 2024. Some of the most creative artists in the area donate their time and talents to paint bourbon barrels gifted by Green River Distillery.

From all walks of life, the artists tell stories with their paintings. Through beautiful flowers, stunning landscapes, and Owensboro/Kentucky history. It's not easy to paint on a barrel either. But these folks rocked it out and every single work of art was really impressive.

The barrels were sponsored by various local businesses and individuals and showcased at the 75th-anniversary gala raising $55,000 for non-profit organizations. After that, they spent time at the Owensboro Convention Center for the community to enjoy. The public also had the opportunity to choose a favorite to win the People's Choice award. With 1,000 votes, Brittany Samsil took home that well-deserved honor.

I had the privilege of judging for the top barrel prize this year with my friends Aaron Kizer and Diane Huff. Will Evans' piece was a standout for us not just because it was well executed in perspective, color, and detail, but for the story it tells. A real-life story that began after the inaugural Barrels of Heart event last year. Will was inspired to take the art from the barrels to the community and actually plan ways to bring people together through creativity.

He hosted free camps for elementary kiddos this summer to explore their creativity and learn how to express their feelings. Of course, lots of friendships were made. Will's artist friends volunteered to give some pro tips and local restaurants donated food for breakfast and lunches. I was able to help a couple of times and it was a total blast.

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If you've ever been downtown on a Friday night, you've seen folks making street art with chalk. Families and folks of all ages eat at local restaurants, hang out on local bar patios, and experience a sense of neighborly love that is so needed these days.

So, his barrel art represents the mission of United Way to make the Ohio Valley region a better place. Along with bragging rights and a trophy, Will received a check for $1,000 and another check for $500 to give to the charity of his choice, Beverly's Hearty Slice. He explained that the director of Beverly's, Travis Owsley, has been an inspiration to him in making things happen. We can all do the same wherever we see a need. When we do, the real winner here is our community.