Remember the incredible buzz around the Light the World Giving Machines this winter? Thanks to your overwhelming generosity, the Murray Education Foundation (MEF) received a major wave of donation funds this past April.

When the funds arrived, we made a promise to the Murray community: we wouldn’t guess how to spend it. Every single dollar had to be a meticulous investment in a student’s dignity, comfort, and academic success.

Today, we are thrilled to give you a backstage pass into exactly how those funds are being used to change lives across our district.

Bringing in the Experts (and Supply Chain Muscle)

Turning a massive donation into physical supplies for thousands of students is a massive logistical challenge. To make sure we stretch every dollar to its absolute limit, we hired Audrey Robison, a BYU Supply Chain Management major, as our summer intern.

This hasn't been a typical "coffee-run" internship. Audrey has been absolutely invaluable, taking on the heavy lifting of organizing, ordering, and negotiating directly with manufacturers and vendors to get bulk wholesale pricing.

While the Giving Machine funds must be spent within a year, the dividends of Audrey's work will last much longer. By building an organized inventory system and keeping Murray teachers, support professionals, and administrators in the loop, she is setting up a long-term framework to support our students for years to come.

Tracking the Impact: Where the Money is Going

Because of this strategic planning, we’ve been able to move quickly and intentionally. Here is a snapshot of what your donations have accomplished so far:

• Essential Gear: We have already purchased—or are in the final phases of ordering—about half of our target goal for school supplies and student clothing. (And yes, we verified with student focus groups first to make sure we bought the brands and styles they actually want to wear!).

• Athletic Fee Relief: We were able to step in and pay off outstanding student-athlete fees for families who couldn't afford them, ensuring no student is sidelined by a price tag.

• Unified Sports: We completely funded the Murray Unified Sports budget for this past year, keeping our incredible inclusive sports programs running strong.

• Mental Health Support for Parents: Student wellness starts at home. We purchased professional parent coaching sessions designed specifically for families navigating a student mental health crisis. These sessions will be fully available to Murray parents throughout the upcoming 2026-27 school year.

What’s Next?

We are just getting started. Our team is currently finalizing some incredibly exciting, creative new ways to utilize the remaining funds for this coming school year. We are putting the finishing touches on these plans right now, so keep an eye out for more big announcements in the months ahead!

Thank you, Murray families, for your continued support of the MEF. Together, we are ensuring every child in our district has the tools, the clothes, and the care they need to thrive.

Want to read more about the student focus groups and research that went into our purchasing decisions? Check out our full feature on the Murray Education Foundation Website.