Rallies Provide Free Supplies for Students

Thousands of Fayette County school children will receive free backpacks and school supplies at the 10th annual Back to School Rallies on Saturday, July 30. The rallies are a collaborative effort by the YMCA of Central Kentucky, Fayette County Public Schools and 15 Lexington neighborhoods.

The rallies will provide more than 7,000 elementary, middle and high school children with free backpacks and school supplies. Each neighborhood will distribute supplies for all grade levels. Children must be with a parent or guardian in order to receive supplies. Each neighborhood solicits its own grassroots support and plans its own food and events.

Schedule of events:
9-11 a.m. – Backpack registration and activities at all locations
10 a.m. – Press conference at Douglass Park
11 a.m. – Food provided at Douglass Park
Noon – Backpack distribution and activities
1-4 p.m. – Community Pool Party at Douglass Park

Back-to-School Rally locations are:

Coolavin Park, 550 E. Sixth Street

Douglass Park, 726 Georgetown Street

Gainesway Park, 3460 Milano Road

Gardenside Christian Church, 940 Holly Springs Drive

Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 2185 Garden Springs Drive

Green Acres Park, 1560 LaSalle Road

Imani Family Life Center, 1555 Georgetown Street

Lou Johnson Park, 190 Prall Street

Marlboro Park, 1870 Benton Road

Russell Cave Church of Christ, 1841 McCullough Drive

Shiloh Baptist Church, 237 East Fifth Street

Speigle Heights Park, 424 Speigle Street

Total Grace, 1313 N. Limestone Street

Valley Park, 2077 Cambridge Drive

Woodhill Park, 457 Larkwood Drive

Volunteer opportunities are available leading up to the rallies and on the day of. Please contact Vice President of Youth Development Jessica Berry at859-367-7337 or email jberry@ymcacky.org. To donate or support the Y’s efforts to send Lexington children to school prepared, email give@ymca.org, call (859) 367-7333.