It’s the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Murray County Early Childhood Initiative! Thanks to the support of area organizations, businesses, and private citizens, Murray County ECI has offered free educational activities, events, and books to local children and families for two decades! With your help, we hope to continue our efforts in the future.
The Murray County Early Childhood Initiative is looking for groups, businesses, and individuals in our community willing to take part in this year’s Jail and Bail fundraiser. Jail & Bail will take place during the fair on Wednesday, August 16th from 2-6 p.m.
Murray County ECI sponsors educational outreach programs focused on young children to increase school readiness and support families. In 2023, ECI has given $10,000 to cover the cost of LETRS literacy curriculum training for early childhood teachers at Murray County Central, Fulda Public Schools, and area preschools. ECI members also organized a “Touch-A-Truck” event that encouraged children to explore a wide variety of work & transportation vehicles, ask the operators questions, & take home free books. Other projects funded with the money raised during Jail & Bail include Families Reading Every Day (FRED) events, Preschool Open Gym & Open Swim, Books for Businesses, children’s music concerts, the Annual Family Fair, and “Getting Ready for School” backpacks containing supplies and child fingerprint IDs during preschool screenings.
Jail & Bail participants serve their time in ECI’s “Jail” on the courthouse lawn while making phone calls to raise their bail in the form of pledges or donations. New in 2023: Murray County Early Childhood Initiative @MurrayCountyECI is a verified charity on Venmo! If you are unavailable on August 16th, but would still like to participate, bail money can be raised ahead of time.
For more information about volunteering for the annual Jail and Bail event or making a donation, please contact Marilyn Carlson at 836-6552 or email murraycountyeci@gmail.com.
