By Andy Furman
NKyTribune staff writer
He came to give a history lesson. And, the group listened with keen interest.
Blaine Hagins, of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels National Headquarters was a recent guest speaker at the Covington Rotary Club.
He told the story of the Kentucky Colonel. In 1932, Ruby Laffoon was Governor of the Commonwealth, and in December of that same year he met with Colonel Anna Bell Ward Olson who owned several movie theaters across Kentucky.
A representative of theater owners nationwide, who also held a Kentucky Colonel commission, accompanied Colonel Olson.
The meeting concerned movie censorship. However, what came out of the meeting was Lafoon’s commitment to Kentucky Colonels and, in particular, a “new” organization to be called the Kentucky Colonels.
“It was,” said Hagins, “a society to more closely band together this group into a great non-political brotherhood for the advancement of Kentucky and Kentuckians.”
Charitable programs, he said, were to be a central part of the organization. Social events would also play an important role. The group held a Derby Eve dinner for the first time in 1932.
But what’s the difference between a Kentucky Colonel and Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels (HOKC)?
The Kentucky Colonel, according to Hagins:
• Kentucky’s highest honorary title
• Awarded by the Governor
• Recognizes service, Achievement, and leadership
• Ambassador of Goodwill for the Commonwealth
Honorable Ordered of Kentucky Colonels (HOKC):
• 501 © (3) nonprofit made up of proud Kentucky Colonels
• Supports service and philanthropy
• Strengthens the lives of Kentuckians
“HOKC members spend thousands of hours volunteering during their annual Day of Service, since 2017,” Hagins said.
And who do they support?
• Arts, Culture and Recreation
• Community support
• Disabled Support Services
• Education
• Health, Rehabilitation and Life Skills
• Historic Preservation
• Military and Veterans Support
• Support for The Poor and Needy
• Youth Services
“And,” he added, “one does not have to live in Kentucky to be nominated to be a Colonel.
“The Good Works Program awarded 113 grants totaling $932,531 from 2021-2025.”
There are 65 official Charted Chapters of Kentucky Colonels in the Commonwealth, he noted, and 46 engaged groups in the process of starting a chapter. There are Colonels in 76 countries.
And some the upcoming events include the Virtual Board Training Workshop, in September, followed by the Fall Day of Service in October (10th).
The Colonels Homecoming Weekend is set for November 6-7.
“In the Commonwealth,” he said, “Colonels go through a great deal of vetting for their money. Some 300 grants alone in the Commonwealth totaled $2.5M.
In particular, The Bill and Betsy Scheben Care Center – an adult day care and support facility, rather than a residential house – part of The Point/Arc – needed $25,000 for a kitchen, Hagins noted, and they got half the amount.
“We’re glad to see where the money goes, and for what purpose,” he said.
As for Northern Kentucky he said, they needed a social element. “We played putt-putt in Erlanger this June; and we have more than two days of service now every year.”
The local chapter, he said, works with St. Vincent DePaul.
“We help with their toy drive, and in December with their coat drive.”
The Kentucky Colonels were founded, he said, originally in 1867 and – their history is still unfolding.
In the 1940s, grants for recreational facilities were for Fort Knox.
In the 1990s over $1M was awarded.
All they need is member support, he said.