FRANKFORT, Ky.-Governor Paul E. Patton today accepted a check for $30,000 from the Coca-Cola Bottlers of Kentucky. The money will go to support the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program.

As part of a contractual agreement with the Finance and Administration Cabinet, the soft drink giant annually donates funds from profits on its sales at Kentucky state parks and rest areas to support the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program. This is the second year Coke has made a donation to the five-week educational enrichment program, bringing Coca-Cola's contribution to the Governor's Scholars Program to $60,000.

"Coca-Cola has been a tremendous corporate citizen in its support of the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program," Governor Patton said. "Their contributions will help provide long-term, educational benefits to students from all around Kentucky who participate in this unique opportunity for academic and personal growth.

Terri Naiser and Roy Potts, who represented Coca-Cola at the check presentation, said the contribution is an example of Coca-Cola's commitment to education in Kentucky. "As local bottlers, we are proud to play a role in this important partnership between Coca-Cola and the Governor's Scholars Program," Potts said.

The Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program, established in 1983 by the Kentucky General Assembly, is funded through state and private contributions. Participants must have completed their junior year in high school to be eligible for the program and must apply for consideration and compete with other students from across the state for one of the 1,000 available slots. Students who are selected to attend the program agree to live on campus during their five-week course of studies and attend the program free of charge. Eastern Kentucky University, Northern Kentucky University and Centre College will host this year's students beginning June 15, June 16 and June 23, respectively. For more information about the Kentucky Governor's Scholars Program, visit http://www.kygsp.org/.