Local school officials and community leaders want students in Jackson County to begin the new school year well-prepared.
That means having all the school supplies they need, even if their families can’t afford to purchase them.
On Saturday morning, families can pick up most of the basic items on their back-to-school lists, including new backpacks, at Jackson County United Way’s fifth annual Rock’n Ready event.
The distribution is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Seymour High School commons area between the two gymnasiums. During that time, registered families will be able to select the items their children need and want.
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Families that did not register for Rock’n Ready through United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline can come after 1:30 p.m. and supplies will be on a first come, first serve basis until they’re gone.
Those wanting to support the cause may participate in the Rock’n Run 5K Run and Walk at 8 a.m. Registration begins at 7 a.m. All proceeds will be used to purchase supplies for next year.
Medals will be given to the first 200 entries and there will be live music and giveaways throughout the event.
Rock’n Ready is a collaboration of organizations whose goal is to ensure children from low-income families throughout the county will have school supplies, said Bonita Dobbs, program manager with Jackson County United Way.
“The goal is to make sure 100 percent of our students arrive on the first day of school with basic school supplies,” she said.
Besides backpacks, other items that will be given out include notebooks, folders, pens and pencils, crayons, markers and colored pencils, scissors, pencil boxes, glue, rulers, erasers and binders.
“We don’t supply everything,” said Sean Hildreth, resource development with Jackson County United Way. “But hopefully this makes it easier for families to purchase some of the other things their children need.”
Around 650 students are registered this year to receive free supplies through Rock’n Ready, many of which have been donated through the Stuff the Bus collection last week at Walmart in Seymour. Local businesses also served as collection sites, encouraging employees to contribute, and area churches collected and donated backpacks.
Hildreth said the Stuff the Bus supply collection was a success this year, bringing in nearly $19,000 worth of supplies and $1,000 in cash donations.
Chairing the drive were Julia Aker and Myra Mellencamp.
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What: Fifth annual Jackson County United Way Rock’n Ready School Supply Distribution
Where: Commons area at Seymour High School
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Families who did not register through 2-1-1 can come at 1:30 p.m. to select items on a first come first served basis.
Those wanting to support the cause can participate in the Rock’n Run 5K Run and Walk at 8 a.m. Registration begins at 7 a.m. All proceeds will be used to purchase supplies for next year.
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