This holiday season, the Murray community is coming together in the spirit of love and generosity through the Love, Murray: Heart for the Holidays giving campaign — a partnership between Murray School District, Murray Education Foundation and Fashion Place Mall.

The District and Foundation have joined forces to make sure no child in Murray is left without support this holiday season. In the past, that has been between 150 to 180 students; this year, it has grown to more than 200.

All students live in Murray School District. Referrals for families in need come directly from the District’s school social worker team, “so they know really well which families are in need and in different situations, more intimately than anybody else. They've helped us identify families that could use the help the most,” said Doug Perry, Murray District spokesperson and Foundation executive director. 

Donors can visit the Love, Murray giving tree, located between Crate & Barrel and H&M inside Fashion Place Mall to select a tag on the tree. Each tag includes a QR code linking to a SignUpGenius list containing gift wish lists for local students. Donors can choose one or more children to sponsor — and once selected, those names will automatically disappear from the list to avoid duplication.

Participants are asked to purchase items and return them unwrapped to either the mall office or the Murray School District office at 5102 S. Commerce Drive. Each donor will have an identifying code from the SignUpGenius list to match gifts to recipients.

“In the past, we've asked families or donors who want to participate provide at least one item of need and one item of wish or want,” Perry said. “Most people want to do more than that — they’ll double it up or even triple it up.”

Needs might include coats, shoes, pants or socks while “wants” range from games and toys to learning tools and books.

The giving tree program will continue through Dec. 3, after which cash donations still will be accepted to help families who move into the District close to the holidays.

Students are contributing their talents to the campaign. Hillcrest Junior High’s after-school ceramics program created handmade ornaments for the tree while Murray High’s Sources of Strength organization made paper ornaments. A Nov. 14 kickoff program featured Murray High’s Madrigals and Horizon’s bell choir and high school clubs and teams helped decorate and assisted shoppers.

“We really want to make it student-focused so that they can find meaning in the holiday season through their generous time. We also think it helps shoppers as well,” Perry said. 

This year marks the first time the Foundation and District have combined their efforts into one coordinated program. They are also continuing to support Parkside Elementary’s long-standing angel tree tradition. 

In addition to Love, Murray giving tree, the Murray Education Foundation will be included in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ “giving machines” at City Creek Center — making it the first education foundation in the Salt Lake area to be featured, Perry said.

Donors using the giving machines can contribute to specific items: a bag of socks for $8; school supplies for $25; sponsor an athlete for $50; a winter coat for $60 and a doctor visit for $75.

The giving machines will be available through Jan. 1, 2026. A kickoff event featuring Jenny Oaks Baker was held Nov. 24, with assistance from Murray School District volunteers.

With the community’s support, the Love, Murray: Heart for the Holidays campaign aims to make this season a little brighter for every child in the District.

“The need has been growing every year,” Perry said, who said this is more than a gift drive. “It's a commitment to ensuring vulnerable children in Murray feel the warmth of our community. We’re grateful for the support. People love doing it, they want to do something meaningful and the spirit of the holidays is strong. It’s a time when people begin to look outside of themselves, feel more gratitude and just want to help.”