Rock 'n Ready Free School Supplies Initiative
Open April 6th-June 30th
REGISTRATION FOR 2026 IS OPEN!
History of Rock 'n Ready
The "Stuff the Bus" Intiative was launched the last weekend of July 2009. In 2013, JCUW re-launched the program with the support and encouragement of then Redding Elementary School principal, Dylan Purlee, and became known as the Rock n' Ready school supply program. This event gave individuals an opportunity to donate school supplies to support all 4 school districts in Jackson County for children getting ready to go back to school. Fifteen plus years later, Rock n' Ready has received over $200,000 in donated school supplies which are collected in drop boxes stationed at various businesses and store front collection at Walmart.
In 2025, the Rock'n Ready program provided backpacks full of free, basic school supplies to over 1,500 students across Jackson County. Every bag given saves families an estimated $25-30 per child and allows funds to be used for other back to school necessities.
Participant Registration
April 6-June 30, 2026
Rock 'n Ready registration is open to any child enrolled at a Jackson County school or homeschool. Students must be in Kindergarten-12th grade in the fall of 2026 to be eligible. Families must fill out a registration form and include the names of all school-aged children who are in need of supplies. Supplies are not guaranteed to those who do not register.
Registro para participantes
Abril 6 - Junio 30, 2026
El registro para Rock´n Ready está abierto para cualquier niño(a) inscrito(a) en una Escuela del Condado de Jackson y también para aquellos que hacen homeschool o escuela desde casa. Los estudiantes deben cursar desde Kindergarten hasta 12o grado en el inicio del otoño de 2026 para ser elegibles. Las familias deben llenar la forma de registro e incluir los nombres de todos los niños(as) que necesiten los útiles. Si usted no se registra, no podemos garantizar los útiles de sus niños(as).
Call 812-522-5450 ext. 4 with any questions
GET INVOLVED
Help us collect supplies by dropping off at one of our collection sites or by purchasing from our Amazon Wish List or Walmart Wish List and shipping them directly to our office! Some of our most needed items are as follows:
Composition Notebooks, Paper 2-Pocket Folders, 10-ct. Crayola Markers, 24-ct. Crayola Crayons, 12-ct. Crayola Colored Pencils, Blunt & Sharp-Tipped Scissors, Art Boxes, Highlighters, Dry-Erase Markers, and 1" 3-Ring Binders.
DONATE
Whether it's with monetary, in-kind, or material donations, you can make a difference in the life in a young person's life locally.
BECOME A SPONSOR OF THIS EVENT
Join United Way’s Rock'n Ready program as a sponsor and help mobilize volunteers to make a difference across Jackson County. Engage your employees through volunteerism, promote your company, and support the next generation of Jackson County's leaders by giving them the tools they need to succeed.
Click here to download our 2026 sponsorship form and learn more about the sponsor benefits.
VOLUNTEER
Help collect supplies outside of Walmart, lead a supply collection at your workplace, count & sort donations, or stuff backpacks- the choice is up to you!
Our 2025 Public Collection Sites
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