From Rucksacks to Backpacks: How the USO Helped Military Kids in Jacksonville, Florida, Start the School Year Strong

By Barry Morris

With backpacks zipped, notebooks ready and smiles beaming, hundreds of military children in the Jacksonville, Florida, area are stepping into the school year with confidence thanks to the USO’s unwavering support.

Across three distribution events at Naval Station Mayport and Naval Air Station Jacksonville, USO Jacksonville volunteers and staff ensured that more than 790 total service members and their families received the supplies their children needed to start the year prepared.

“We’re excited to share that our ‘Rucksacks to Backpacks’ events were a huge success,” said Chantille Wooten, USO Jacksonville center operations specialist. “Seeing the joy on the kids’ faces as they picked out their supplies reminds us why we do what we do. This is about more than pencils and paper — it’s about making sure military kids know their community is here for them.”

“It’s awesome to not have to worry about getting a backpack for the kids,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Terrill Jeanjacques of Naval Station Mayport.

Events like these provide more than just school supplies – with back-to-school also signaling the end of Permanent Change of Station (PCS) season, it offers military kids and families a sense of support and stability during a time when things can feel unsteady as they move to a new school. Having access to essential school items like backpacks, notebooks and pencils eases the burden for them and ensures military children are prepared to learn and thrive in the upcoming school year.

“I have a large family. This helps us so very much,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Maurice Ross. “Thank you all for your help.”

Many service member parents expressed their gratitude for the USO hosting the event. For some families, the program lifted a significant weight from their shoulders.

Sgt. Chris Rodriguez, from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, expressed appreciation for more than just the supplies.

“Thank you to the USO for all the fun activities and services they provide for us,” he shared.

This year’s effort was made possible through the USO’s partnership with Freedom Mortgage and its annual Rucksacks to Backpacks campaign. Through fundraising in July, Freedom Mortgage employees, customers and supporters helped provide thousands of military children across the country with the tools they need for academic success.

“We are grateful to Freedom Mortgage for their support and partnership with the USO,” said Ben Leslie, USO chief development officer. “This program brings great joy to military kids and families across the United States and helps them get ready for a new school year.”

Since its inception, Freedom Mortgage has donated more than 35,000 backpacks and 70,000 school supply items, supporting USO events in states including Florida, Arizona, California and Pennsylvania.

“Thanks to Freedom Mortgage and our local community, we can help ease the transition back to school for so many military families,” Chantille said. “It’s one more way we can remind them that we’re here, standing beside them, every step of the way.”

Thanks to the generous support of our donors and partners, the USO will continue to stand by military families, helping to ease the challenges of back-to-school season as military children begin with a fresh start, demonstrating resilience and strength along the way.