Crimson & Blue Holiday Project Visits Lawrence Hospital

This marks the 20th year of the partnership between KU's Trademark Licensing Office and Lawrence Memorial Hospital

Dec. 17, 2012

LAWRENCE, Kan. - For the 20th-consecutive year, members of the Kansas Athletics Department visited the patients of Lawrence Memorial Hospital and delivered items collected during the "Crimson & Blue Holiday Project." Monday, head coach Bonnie Henrickson and her Jayhawk women's basketball team had the honors of delivering the gifts.

"It is such a special time of the year for so many people and no one ever wants to be in the hospital, but especially this time of year, so it is a great opportunity for us to give back and see some smiles on some faces," said Henrickson. "We will always walk away (from this event) finding it hard to believe that someone got more out of this than (the players and coaches) got out of it, being able to share a smile, a laugh or a handshake."

KU's Trademark Licensing Office collected KU licensed products including t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, games, prints, etc., from over 80 officially licensed vendors who donate the products for the event each year. This year the licensees donated over 1,300 items with a retail value of nearly $20,000, according to Paul Vander Tuig, KU's Trademark Licensing Director.

"We were giving back to those in need and lifting the spirits of some who have been down this time of year," sophomore guard Natalie Knight said. "It was really exciting to see them smile and make their day. It was great to give back."

The trademark licensing program collects fees and royalties from manufacturers authorized to use KU's trademarks commercially. Royalties distributed from the program are used to fund student and student-athlete scholarships at KU.

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