The Rockets Give Back to the Community

By: Shelia Mader

The Union Grove Rockers of the former Union Grove High School of Greenwood, now operating as Union Grove Alumni Association, Incorporated (UGAA), continues to find ways to give back to the community that helped shape them. Comprised of graduates from classes spanning 1953 through 1969, with additional classes expressing interest, UGAA is a mixed-age group with a wide range of experience, united by a shared commitment to honoring their educational roots and supporting future generations.

UGAA gets its funds through membership fees, donations, and fundraisers, with much of the proceeds going back into the community through scholarships and youth support initiatives.

UGAA held its first fundraiser on March 28, 2026. The fish fry fundraiser was a huge success, and the group wishes to publicly thank all of its patrons for supporting the event. UGAA hopes to make an annual donation to the Jackson County Education Foundation (JCEF).

Founded in 2013, JCEF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting teachers and students across Jackson County’s public schools. The foundation provides funding for classroom resources, educational programs, and teacher-led initiatives that enhance learning opportunities for local students.

JCEF relies on support from both individuals and businesses, as well as fundraising efforts such as its annual pork chop fundraiser. Funds raised locally play an even greater role through Florida’s education foundation matching program, which allows the state to match qualifying dollars raised by the organization. This means community contributions can have an even greater impact, helping expand resources and opportunities in local classrooms.

Through partnerships with organizations like UGAA and continued community support, JCEF is able to reinvest those funds directly into Jackson County schools, benefiting both educators and students.