Murray Moments

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 3^rd 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.

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.

Ms Servan (Horizon) continually seeks ways to create extra-safe and supportive classroom spaces that include tools to help students regulate emotions and alleviate stress, as needed. Having a “calm corner” helps students pause to achieve balance in their mental well-being, gives all of her students access to holistic academic development and optimized learning outcomes. So she turned to Murray Education Foundation for calming supplies and materials to make her vision a reality.

Murray’s student curriculum is guided by many different standards of learning, as stipulated by the State. Fourth grade students, for example, are required to study fossils and rock layers to show changes over time.

Ms. Trevizo (Horizon) wanted some additional supplies to help engage students so requested a grant from Murray Education Foundation to purchase Fossil Dig Kits and other items. These empower student learning with hands-on and collaborative ways to explore ancient organisms in environments from long ago.

Ms. Peterson (Parkside) was excited to apply some recent training she received on the science of reading. Evidence-based practices she wanted to implement apply to all children and are powerful learning activities and tools. 

But she needed additional funding to purchase finger lights, compact mirrors, and double-sided tracing boards. Fortunately she was able to secure a grant from Murray Education Foundation to get the resources she needed to make it all come together.

Liberty’s little explorers in Ms. Westenskows class got the chance to get nose-to-nose with some amazing creatures, thanks to Tales and Scales! From slithery snakes to colorful birds, it was an hour packed with excitement and learning! Hands-on experiences like these ignite curiosity and spark a love for science.

But these types of experiences do cost money. Fortunately, Ms. Westenskow was able to turn to Murray Education Foundation for some funding to make it happen. 

Thanks to our adventurous 5th-grade teachers at Grant Elementary, our students embarked on an epic journey back in time to the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point! 

With 60 complete dinosaur skeletons, 50 hands-on exhibits, and real-life paleontologists on-site, they didn’t just learn about life 65 million years ago—they lived it! Huge shoutout to Ms. Lundeen and the Murray Education Foundation for making this prehistoric adventure possible!