The Community Education Advisory Council’s 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.
Over 35 vendors will be featured at this new holiday event. 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. After a pause when the COVID pandemic forced the cancellation and discussing many options, the MKY Cares Mistletoe Market Place will move forward with the primary mission to aid non-profits and 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. “We look forward to hosting this holiday event for our community reaching young, adult and senior population.”
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 and accept items for the senior citizens of 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 offering children’s face-painting, and reindeer food for the upcoming Christmas season. The group will use their sales to fund their program and their annual trip to Washington, D.C.
Other vendors who have committed include Aquila Workshop, LLC-Arbonne Independent Consultant, Aswan Alchemy, Luxury Aromatherapy, Bad Bandit Rub and Seasoning, BatsStudio, The Bin Boutique, Cherwreaths, Colston Farm & Kitchen/Kentucky Maple Syrup, Crafted by Sarah and Emily, Curious Critters Designs, DeBento Foods, Earrings by Rena, Farm & Flour, Flower Sisters, LLC, Gifts by Sassy Cat, JAS Creates Co, Merry Makers Gifting, Morning Glory Farms, Mrs. Jackson/Mrs. Sweets Freeze Dried Treats, Pawsome Fashion, Piper Marie, Scentsy, Silly Goose Sewing, SMAKZ CRAFTS, Smiles Pop Up, Sweet Shop-Bakery, Tupperware. Non-Profit vendors include ATC Welding, ATC Machine Tool, ATC Culinary, ATC Carpentry, ATC Pre Nursing, Calloway County Football Program, Leadership Tomorrow, MHS Art 3 Class, Murray FRYSC and The Den.
Sarah Kaegi, a member of the MKY Cares Mistletoe Marketplace committee and Lion’s 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.
Questions can be directed either Sherry Purdom at sherry.purdom@murray.kyschools.us or Lisa Hays at 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.