WASHINGTON (January 26, 2010)—Today,  in the Oval Office of the White House, President Obama and Congressman Ben Chandler placed a call to Coach Calipari and the University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team congratulating them for their efforts to raise money for Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010.  Coach Calipari’s telethon, called Hoops for Haiti, raised around $1.3 million in total for humanitarian relief efforts in the country.

“Haiti needs our help,” Chandler said. “While times have been tough for many, we are grateful that Kentuckians who are able to contribute have been generous with their time, donations, and prayers.  I am honored to represent UK in Washington, and it is a privilege to congratulate the UK Wildcats and Coach Cal with the President today for a job well done.  The success of this charitable undertaking is another big victory for the winningest team in college basketball history!”

Coach Calipari and the UK Wildcats took the call from Chandler and the President today around 1:30PM in South Carolina, where the Wildcats will play the University of South Carolina this evening.

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Photo courtesy of the White House