Each year, the YMCA of Central Kentucky, in partnership with Fayette County Public Schools, sponsors and community partners, hosts the annual Neighborhood Back to School Rallies.
The rallies provide elementary, middle and high school students with free back packs and school supplies. Each neighborhood distributes supplies for all grade levels. The Back to School Rallies is an initiative of the Y, which has served as the central coordinator of this event since 2011. Since that time, more than 35,000 children have been served.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2017.
Thanks to the generosity of our 2017 sponsors and partners: Fayette County Public Schools, Kentucky Utilities, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield, Anthem BlueCross BlueShield Medicaid, Hilliard-Lyons, United Way of the Bluegrass, PNC Bank, Rotary Club of Lexington, Passport Health Plan and WLEX-TV.
Each neighborhood solicits its own grassroots support and plans its own food and activities.
The goal of this initiative is to prepare children for school and to unify our neighborhoods for even greater self-advocacy and community planning. Neighborhoods build bridges with schools, churches and local businesses by establishing relationships that they can utilize in the future for a variety of purposes.
Schedule of events:
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Registration at all locations and fun activities (Bingo, inflatables, guest speakers, games, arts and crafts and more!
10 a.m. Press conference at Douglass Park
11 a.m. – Noon Food distribution at all locations
Noon – 1 p.m. Backpack distribution
Children must be with a parent/guardian in order to receive supplies.
Find a location near you:
Bainbridge/Squires Valvoline, 100 Valvoine Way, (corner of Blazer Parkway and Palumbo Drive)
Caroline Memorial Community Center, 220 E. Maple St. Nicholasville, KY
Coolavin Park, 550 E. Sixth St.
Douglass Park, 726 Georgetown St.
Gainesway Community Center, 3460 Campus Way
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 St.
Lou Johnson Park, 190 Prall St.
Marlboro Park, 1870 Benton Place
Russell Cave Church of Christ, 1841 McCullough Drive
Shiloh Baptist Church, 237 E. Fifth St.
Speigle Heights Park, 424 Speigle St.
Total Grace Baptist Church, 1313 N. Limestone
Valley Park, 2077 Cambridge Drive
Woodhill Park, 457 Larkwood Drive