Families planning to participate in the 2026 JC First Back 2 School Bash are encouraged to register soon, as the registration deadline is quickly approaching.
Registration for the annual event will remain open through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, giving families just a few more days to sign up for the free resources and services available to help students prepare for the upcoming school year.
The 2026 Back 2 School Bash will take place on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 to 11 a.m. at UPCYCLE–SACC, 404 S. Scott St. in Newton.
While registration for the event remains open, organizers have announced a few important updates.
Registration for the event’s popular free sweatshirts closed on Sunday, Aug. 2, allowing time for orders to be processed before the event.
In addition, all available shoe gift cards have been claimed. However, families are still encouraged to register their children for the shoe gift card waitlist. Organizers say additional funding often becomes available after the event, allowing them to fulfill many waitlisted requests within a month.
Families who register before Friday’s deadline can still receive a variety of free services and school essentials, including:
- Haircuts and hair checks
- Socks and underwear
- Eagle Spiritwear
- Scoliosis screenings
- DIY Laundry Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Newton Coin Laundry
The Back 2 School Bash is designed to help local students start the school year prepared and confident while easing some of the financial burden on families.
JC First encourages anyone who has not yet registered to do so before the Friday night deadline. Families can register by scanning the QR code on the event flyer or by visiting jcfirst.org/events/26b2sb.
Organizers also encourage community members to help spread the word so every eligible Jasper County student has the opportunity to benefit from this year’s event.
