The Murray Education Foundation’s 2024 giving campaign extended beyond it’s traditional Angel Tree, bringing the community together in an outpouring of generosity that raised an estimated $33,000 in cash and donated goods from companies and individuals.
This outpouring of support will touch the lives of more than an estimated 1500 Murray students (and their families), who represent our underserved populations. From the contributions, we were able to meet basic needs of food, clothing, and other essentials. But it will also make the holiday season a little merrier for children, including toys, games, puzzles, and other appropriate activities.
Specifically, MEF provided targeted gift giving support to 173 children through the Angel Tree Donation program, supported by 11 different organizations in and around Murray. They include: The Sports Mall, Reach Out Today, Riverview Ward, Lone Peak Valuation, Walden Ward, Appliance Service by Paul, Fizz Drinks (Murray), Murray 3rd Ward, Indie Square, Murray Chamber of Commerce, and Gold Systems.
MEF was the recipient of another estimated $3,000 in toys and games, donated by the Road Home and Fox 13 through their Candy Cane Corner drive. The Larry H. and Gail Miller Foundation contributed $4,500, KSL Quarters for Christmas chipped in $2000, Sunwest Flooring donated $4,800 through a holiday matching program at their store, and $5000 and $2000 donations came in from anonymous givers.
Countless other individuals made contributions ranging from $10 to $500. And MEF participated in three fundraisers through Regal Theaters in Taylorsville, Shake Shack in Murray, and the Cottonwood Christmas Chicks. Modern Display donated a Christmas tree to Hillcrest Jr. High School after school program students who decorated it and donated it to Festival of Trees (it sold for $800 and that cash went to Primary Children’s Hospital).
The annual Murray Rotary Club Operation Santa, working with Murray City Police and Fire officials, and Murray Goodwill Store, helped provide Christmas for approximately 75 MCSD students. And there were multiple other Murray school-based fundraisers, organized outside of MEF, that were also pivotal and successful in the lives of students and outside organizations.
MEF also thanks several Murray School District staff and volunteers that helped in a wide range of areas. From collecting gifts, to sorting, and distribution. The Foundation extends our heartfelt gratitude to all donors and volunteers who made this year’s giving season a resounding success. Together, they turned compassion into action, impacting the Murray community and local families in countless ways that will be treasured memories.
