On Monday, May 13th, United Way of the Bluegrass unveiled the new Marksbury Family WayPoint Center at the Historic Palmer Pharmacy. This anticipated event marked a significant milestone in the revitalization of a cherished local landmark, blending the pharmacy's past with a bright, innovative future. The community gathered to celebrate the opening of the new WayPoint Center, joined by distinguished speakers including Governor Andy Beshear, Lexington Mayor Linda Gordon, UWBG President Timothy Johnson, Representative George Brown, Senator Reginald Thomas, and Logan Marksbury. Together, they welcomed the center and participated in the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Nestled in the heart of the East End Community, the WayPoint Center is set to become a pivotal hub for financial empowerment, wellness, and community engagement, honoring the legacy of the Palmer Pharmacy while charting new paths for generations to come.
Dr. Zirl Palmer, one of the first African American pharmacists in Lexington and the first to own a Rexall franchise in the United States, started that business in the Historic Palmer Pharmacy in 1961. Dr. Plamer was a man of integrity who worked hard to ensure that those who lived in the East End of Lexington were provided with everything they needed to thrive. From a safe doctor’s office to a luncheonette to get a scoop of ice cream, Dr. Palmer embodied what it meant to be a good neighbor. United Way of the Bluegrass seeks to ensure that our WayPoint Centers live up to the legacy of Dr. Palmer and that the new Center is a welcoming place for all of our neighbors to receive the help and support they need.
United Way’s objective for its WayPoint Initiative is to create an access point for families and individuals, and to provide vital programming to people living in underserved neighborhoods and communities of color, whereby promoting and growing resiliency in these areas. Each WayPoint Center brings together the region’s most effective nonprofit, government, and business organizations to leverage their strengths against our community’s biggest issues and promote financial empowerment.
In addition to the hallmark social services found at WayPoint Centers, the renovated building will also include community meeting space, offices, and more. This newest WayPoint Center will also serve as a place to memorialize Dr. Zirl Palmer Sr. and his accomplishments and contributions to the Lexington community.
To learn more about the WayPoint Initiative, visit our website at https://www.uwbg.org/waypointcenter. To learn how you or your business can sponsor a room in the new WayPoint Center, contact Matt Roberts: matt.roberts@uwbg.org