BGHS Purple Angel

By Hope Hensley and Gray Walden

The Bowling Green High School Youth Service Center has sponsored the  Purple Angel program for many years. This program centers around teens who are not fortunate enough to receive gifts for Christmas. Each year, Misti Carrigan, Mille Stone, and other involved faculty and staff collect gifts for these teens so they can experience a joyful Christmas. 

Last year, the program was able to give 234 students a joyful Christmas.  Applications can be filled out early in the year and were due this year on November 3rd, 2023. Members of the community can volunteer to sponsor one the the applicants and buy them gifts. 

Since teens don't usually want toys, the gifts are things like school supplies, clothing, toiletries, snacks, and shoes. This first started with the help of the Salvation Army here in Bowling Green in 2000. Then, in 2010, the school board decided to start BGHS’s first Purple Angel program. 

Misti Carrigan, Youth Service Center Director, said, “We have a great giving community. It is in no way possible without the support from family, alumni, and community members. The need seems to be greater every year, and the response seems to always be wonderful.” The whole process takes a lot of planning, so BGHS faculty start working on this at the beginning of September each year.

One incredible thing about the Bowling Green City Schools is our Teranga Academy, which also receives gifts from Purple Angel. This year, about 200 students from Teranga will be given gifts! The Teranga Academy is an English immersion program and is designed in partnership with the Fugees Family, Inc. Its purpose is to support teens and their families who are new to American schools and the United States. 

Throughout the years, this program has impacted the lives of many families in several ways. Some of the more fortunate families help these teens to have a memorable experience each year and provide them with a Christmas every teen should have. These cordial members go out of their way to give these students a joyful Christmas. Purple Angel is an ongoing tradition here at BGHS and is such a great way to give back to the community during the holidays. If you want to know more about how to get involved with Purple Angel, call (270) 764-2304 or email misti.carrigan@bgreen.kyschools.us