LEXINGTON — As part of its effort to help Kentuckians through the COVID-19 pandemic, Friends of Coal Kentucky is donating $75,000 to the UK HealthCare COVID-19 Support Fund. The contribution will help support expanded COVID-19 testing to more than 35 hospitals across the state.

By expanding the availability of testing, we hope to protect the health and prosperity of our communities, making it easier for Kentuckians to isolate themselves if they’re sick and return to work if their health allows.

In addition to helping with testing, Friends of Coal Kentucky will continue to support the Kentucky coal industry so it can continue to provide the low-cost, reliable energy our lives, health and happiness depend on.

This energy is vital to the doctors, nurses and patients battling COVID-19 who depend on electricity to power testing equipment, monitoring equipment and ventilators. It’s vital to other essential industries, from grocery stores that need to keep food refrigerated to online vendors such as Amazon that need to power their server farms. Even so, cleaning supply manufacturers need this energy to keep their factories functioning. This low-cost, reliable energy is also vital to the millions trapped in their homes whose lives would be infinitely more difficult without the ability to afford to turn on the lights, charge cell phones, power the television or heat and cool their homes.

Regardless of how uncertain conditions may become, Kentuckians can count on coal to provide the world’s most reliable source of low-cost energy throughout this crisis—and for many decades to come.

About Friends of Coal Kentucky: Friends of Coal Kentucky is a volunteer organization dedicated to informing and educating Kentucky residents about the coal industry and its vital role in the state’s future. We are grateful to the thousands of Kentuckians who purchase the Friends of Coal license plate which made our gift possible. For more information, visit friendsofcoalky.com or find Friends of Coal Kentucky on Facebook and Twitter.