LANSING – Michigan gubernatorial candidates Virg Bernero and Rick Snyder will address thousands of parents, grandparents, children and other supporters of state investment in young learners at the Sandbox Party Convention on Thursday.
This marks the first time the two have appeared at the same event since Republican Snyder and Democrat Bernero won their respective primaries Aug. 3.
The Sandbox Party is nonpartisan and nonpolitical; the sole focus is making sure all Michigan children enter kindergarten ready to learn, which experts say is required for Michigan’s economic turnaround. The convention runs from 1-4 p.m. at Michigan State University’s Breslin Student Events Center. Admission is free and the public is invited.
“Michigan voters are seizing this as a rare opportunity to make their voices heard on an issue near and dear to their hearts and minds,” said Judy Y. Samelson, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corp., which is sponsoring the convention. “They know – just by looking at their own families and communities – that the only way to grow the competent citizens and workers Michigan needs to fuel its economic turnaround is by investing in young children.
“And they’re riled up enough about the issue to want to make darn sure Michigan’s leaders are listening,” said Samelson, whose nonprofit public corporation is charged with implementing a comprehensive early childhood system in Michigan.
Some 2,000 people have already signed up for the convention, with thousands more expected for the first-of-its-kind event. The Sandbox Party was formed in July by advocates and parents who want to ensure Michigan maintains its investment in children from birth to age 5, when research shows it does the most good.
People are coming from all regions of the state, including a busload of families and children from the Upper Peninsula’s Delta County.
A growing body of research indicates that getting infants and young children off to a great start pays huge economic benefits, reducing special education, welfare and criminal justice costs, while increasing the number of children who grow up to be productive adults.
Michigan taxpayers save $1.15 billion every year as a result of the state’s investment in preschool programs alone over the past 25 years, according to a recent study by Wilder Research.
In a poll last year, 83 percent of Michigan voters said early childhood development and education programs are an “absolute necessity” for their communities; 75 percent want them spared from state budget cuts.
The Sandbox Party Convention will feature speakers, inspirational videos and family-friendly entertainment. Parents are encouraged to bring their children.
Emcees are Jason Colthorp, news anchor for WILX TV-10 in Lansing, and Maranda, host of WOOD TV-8’s “Where You Live” show in Grand Rapids.
Radio Disney AM 910, part of the No. 1 radio network for kids, tweens, and families, will be on hand with six “activity stations” including the Rockin’ Roundup – D-Tour Show, Prize Bubble, Sandbox Treasure Hunt and more. The Radio Disney Road Crew will rock the house with live entertainment.
The popular rock group The Verve Pipe will play songs from “A Family Album.”
For more information about the convention visit www.michigansandboxparty.com.
Contact: Andy Heller, 810-399-4997 aheller@ecic4kids.org