Local children from infant to age 5 need your help! Citizens throughout Murray County are going to be “arrested” on August 15th to support learning opportunities for the youngest members of our community in the annual Jail & Bail fundraiser.
Money donated to bail out the inmates is used by the Early Childhood Initiative for area programs benefiting children from birth to age 5. This includes FRED (Families Reading Every Day) events that provide educational activities and books for each child, Preschool Open Gym and Open Swim, children’s music concerts, the annual Family Fair, visits to area daycares by ECFE on Wheels, “Getting Ready for School” backpacks and child fingerprint IDs during preschool screenings, children’s books for waiting rooms in area businesses, and other outreach projects to encourage learning and school readiness in Murray County.
Do you have friends, family members, or coworkers who should be “arrested” by the SPD? To arrange the “bust,” you will need to make a $25 donation to the Early Childhood Initiative and contact Marilyn Carlson at 836-6552 to give “criminal details.” ECI is also looking for groups or individuals willing to volunteer to serve time for Murray County’s kids.
The Jail & Bail fundraiser will take place on the east lawn of the Murray County Courthouse on the opening day of the fair (Wed., Aug. 15th) from 2-7 PM. Participating community members will have the choice of turning themselves in or being picked up by the Slayton Police Department. Either way, they will end up in the mock-jail on the courthouse lawn where they will stand before a community judge to be charged with their “crime.” The detainees will then begin making phone-calls to raise their bail goal of $100. Bail can either be raised in the form of pledges or donations.
Murray County ECI greatly appreciates the many generous individuals who have volunteered and made donations through the years. Our county is a better place for children and families because our communities care!
