Engage Bartow

06/24/2026

Thank you to City of Bartow Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Director, Jason Hargrove for sharing with us the variety of activities that Bartow offers the community. Thank you also to Bartow Public Library, Librarian Christina Hielscher and Grace Lassiter from the Bartow Golf Course for sharing about those amenities.

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We’re looking forward to seeing what the new Master Plan will have in store!

06/23/2026

📚 What was your favorite class in school?

Maybe it was art, science, history, PE, or the class where you met your best friends. No matter which class stands out in your memory, every student deserves the opportunity to start the school year with the supplies they need to succeed.

That's why we're inviting our community to support Stuff the Bus! 🎒✏️

You can help local students by donating school supplies, contributing through our Amazon Wishlist, or dropping off items at one of our participating collection locations throughout the community.

Together, we can help fill classrooms with opportunity and set students up for a successful school year.

💙 Want to get involved? Visit our website or contact Katie Fincher at [email protected] for more information.

Now tell us in the comments: What was your favorite class in school?

06/16/2026

📚🏫 Help Us Stuff the Bus: Become a Community Collection Site!

Imagine the difference we could make if school supplies were waiting for every student on the first day of school.

We're looking for local businesses to partner with Engage Bartow's Stuff the Bus by serving as an official collection site. It's a simple way to support local students and show your commitment to our community.

As a participating business, you'll:
🖍️ Display a Stuff the Bus donation box in your lobby or storefront.
📣 Help spread the word by sharing the campaign with your customers and followers.
🎒 Collect new school supply donations throughout the campaign.

We'll provide the collection box and promotional materials—you provide the space and help us rally the community.

Every backpack, notebook, pack of crayons, and pencil donated helps local students start the school year with the tools they need to succeed.

Interested in becoming a participating business? Contact Katie Fincher at [email protected] to get involved!

Together, let's make this school year the best one yet!

06/12/2026

🚌✨ The first donation has officially been added to the bus!

Our ENGAGE Bartow Young Professionals Stuff the Bus campaign is underway, and we're collecting school supplies to help support students experiencing homelessness throughout Polk County.

Want to help fill the bus?

📦 Order supplies directly from our Amazon Wishlist
📍 Drop off donations at the Bartow Chamber or any participating collection location
📅 Donations accepted through July 31

Every backpack, notebook, pencil, and pair of headphones helps remove barriers to success for local students.

Let's work together to Stuff the Bus and make sure every child starts the school year ready to learn. 💜📚

06/10/2026

All it takes is a little sweat, good music, and your favorite people in the room.

Thank you Jazzercise Bartow for hosting our Engage social tonight!

💜🎶👟

06/10/2026

🚌📚 Stuff the Bus is Back! 📚🚌

ENGAGE Bartow Young Professionals is proud to partner with the Polk County T.A.S.S.E.L. Project and the Polk County Hearth Project for our annual Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive!

Did you know there are more than 5,000 students experiencing homelessness in Polk County? As the new school year approaches, many of these children face barriers that most students never have to think about. Together, we can help ensure they start the school year with the supplies they need to succeed.

We're collecting some of the most-needed items, including:
🎒 Backpacks
✏️ School supplies
🎧 Headphones or earbuds
👜 Pouches
📓 Notebooks
🖊️ Writing utensils
🧻 Tissues and hand wipes

You can help by:
✅ Purchasing items from our Amazon Wishlist (scan the QR code below)
✅ Dropping off donations at the Bartow Chamber or any participating collection location

📅 Donations will be accepted through July 31st.

Every donation makes a difference. Join us in helping local students start the school year prepared, confident, and ready to learn. 💜

05/29/2026

Have someone in mind? Nominations end today! ✨

✨ It's that time again! We are looking for outstanding nominations for the annual Polk Young Professionals Awards! ✨

The Polk Young Professionals Awards, or PYPA, is a collaborative event for
EMERGE Lakeland (Lakeland Chamber of Commerce), ENDEAVOR Winter
Haven (Winter Haven Chamber Foundation) and ENGAGE Bartow (Bartow
Chamber Foundation).

Together, these councils work to celebrate the collective impact of young
professionals in Polk County and through PYPA, recognize three (3) individuals
who are demonstrating excellence and impact in their communities.

Nominations for Emerging Leader (ages 21-30), Legacy Builder (ages 31-42),
and Philanthropic Champion (ages 21-42) are accepted May 1 - 31, 2026.

Know someone who meets the description? Follow the link below to nominate them:
https://polkyp.com/