Murray, Ky., May June 16, 2025-------The Community Education Advisory Council(CEAC) has announced the MKY Cares Mistletoe Market Place will be hosted Saturday, November 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Murray Calloway County Area Technology Center, 126 Robertson Road North, Murray.
This new holiday event is hosted by the Community Education Advisory Council and is now accepting vendor applications. Prior to COVID, the Ricky Lamkin MKY Cares Auction was slated to kick off to support non-profits in the community to honor the late Ricky Lamkin who passed in 2019. Lamkin was a passionate MKY Cares board member who believed in launching the MKY Cares Auction for the betterment of the community. However, after Lamkin’s death and a pause when the COVID pandemic forced the cancellation, the MKY Cares Mistletoe Market Place will now move forward with the same primary mission to aid non-profits and include student groups from Murray and Calloway County schools. “We believe in this project because we believe in the people of Murray and Calloway County,” said Dan Hicks, chair of CEAC. “There is no doubt in our minds that our community, vendors and students will be able to obtain an opportunity that hasn’t been available prior to the marketplace will step up and deliver for those who need the most help.”
MKY Cares, an organization started in early 2019, is a grassroots effort designed to raise money and then distribute funds to the various organizations in Calloway County. The idea of the organization began through a collaborative effort of the Community Education Advisory Council and Family Youth Services Center, representing both Murray and Calloway County Schools. Expanding the mission and opening the opportunity to student groups will be a win/win for all involved. “Those of us who live here realize that we are very fortunate to live in a community as blessed as Murray, Kentucky,” said Sherry Purdom, Community Education director. “As we move forward debuting this event, we invite our local, regional and state vendors to visit our community and this holiday endeavor.”
Student Groups from the Murray/Calloway Area Technology Center’s Carpentry, Welding, Culinary, and Machine Tool classes will be onsite as vendors showcasing their talents and items. The Murray Calloway ATC Nursing Program students will provide healthcare assessments for the community. Students from the Leadership Tomorrow Class, composed of both Murray High and Calloway County High junior and senior students will participate as a vendor to raise funding for their program and their annual trip to Washington, D.C. that occurs as a culmination event. Numerous students club groups from Murray and Calloway County schools will also participate as vendors.
Other vendors who have committed include Kate Mizell’s Flower Sisters Studio--- featuring her special design jewelry. Becky Ballard, Morning Glory Farms, will be on hand with pre-made holiday wreaths, garlands, and dried flower arrangements, with a make your own option. Murray’s new DeBento Foods Italian Market- will offer their specialty Italian delicacies, including their Cannolis.
Sarah Kaegi, a member of the MKY Cares Mistletoe Marketplace committee and Lions Club member who has assisted with numerous community fund-raisers, said moving in this direction is a positive debut. “This is exciting to have an opportunity to showcase our students in conjunction with local vendors and community organizations during an event that will ultimately help our community as a whole.”
The mission of MKY Cares is to solicit and receive contributions and distribute these funds to charitable organizations in Murray/Calloway Community for the purpose of increasing involvement and enhancing the services provided by these agencies.
For more information, and to register a vendor commitment please scan the QR Code to save your vendor spot or visit the MKY Cares Facebook page. For more information, and a vendor application contact krystal.johnson@murray.kyschools.us, sherry.purdom@murray.kyschools.us or lisa.hays@calloway.kyschools.us.
“MKY Cares looks forward to working with organizations within the Murray/Calloway County community to help them raise funds to meet their needs,” said Greg Gierhart, MKY Cares treasurer.