07/12/2026
One Team. One Vision. One Incredible Week. ❤️🏀📚
As we take a moment to reflect on the inaugural Books & Buckets 2026, our hearts are filled with gratitude.
This photo represents just a portion of the amazing team that worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this vision a reality. From the early mornings to the late evenings, every volunteer, coach, mentor, staff member, family member, and supporter played an important role in creating an unforgettable experience for our campers.
A special thank you to our founders, Coach Johnny "Scoop" Walker and Dr. Kisha L. Walker, whose vision, passion, and commitment to the youth of Gary inspired an entire community to come together.
We also extend our sincere appreciation to:
Our incredible campers and their families
Our dedicated volunteers and staff
Our celebrity guests and community champions
Our generous sponsors and donors
Our valued community partners
Our media partners, whose coverage helped share our story
Every individual and organization that believed in this mission
Because of you, hundreds of young people experienced five unforgettable days of literacy, basketball, leadership, mentorship, friendship, and community.
This was only the beginning.
The journey continues, and we're already looking ahead to Books & Buckets 2027!
If you missed this year's camp, now is the perfect time to join our 2027 Interest List at BooksAndBuckets.com and follow our social media pages as we begin unveiling our Books & Buckets 2026: Beyond the Buckets Recap Series, featuring photos, videos, interviews, and behind-the-scenes moments from an unforgettable week.
Thank you, Gary. Thank you to everyone who believed in this dream. We'll see you in 2027!
Johnny Walker McKinley Legacy Foundation
