Last week, members of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Bluegrass made a plea for help as they try to recover financially from an embezzlement case back in 2008. Today, board members said they're moving in the right direction. After their plea for support, they say the public has responded in a big way. Board member Alan Stein said businesses, individuals, and organizations have stepped up and pledged nearly $50,000 to help out. Stein said some donations came from Thomas and King, Georgetown College, and the Central Kentucky Blood Center, among others.

Another big announcement was the hiring of a new executive director, former Georgetown College Athletics Director Eric Ward. Stein says, Stein says that, while these are positive steps, they still need a lot of help reaching their goal of $250,000.

"$50,000 is a lot of money, but we still need to keep it coming in. And we're committed to doing what we have to do to make that happen," says Stein.

Next week, the organization's biggest annual fundraiser, the Bowl for Kids' Sake competition starts. Organizers say they hope to raise about $300,000 through that event. Stein says he was a Big Brother himself through the '70s and '80s and it's had an impact on his life.

"Not only is this the right thing to do, it is ethically and morally superior to just about anything else we could do in mentoring these kids. It's also, frankly, good business for the community," he says.

Stein said they're also looking to sell their Jessamine County campground. It's been appraised at around $700,000.