First Lady Mary Perdue Hosts "Mary Shops Moultrie"

 A Portion of the Event’s Proceeds to Benefit Colquitt County Child Advocacy Center

MOULTRIE—First Lady Mary Perdue today hosted "Mary Shops Moultrie," a unique shopping event with a goal to raise money for area foster children and educate South Georgians about needs in their community. Twenty seven local merchants signed up to participate in the downtown retail event promoted by the Downtown Moultrie Association and the Moultrie Main Street Program. Businesses will donate a portion of the evening’s proceeds to benefit Hero House, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Colquitt County.  "Mary Shops Moultrie" is the third event of the First Lady’s Kids First Initiative.

"I am encouraged by the enthusiasm of the citizens of Moultrie and their desire to embrace such a unique event with such a noble goal," said First Lady Mary Perdue. "We welcome every chance we have to educate Georgians about the needs of our abused and neglected children."    

Kids First is a new initiative of the Our Children Campaign. The First Lady will canvas Georgia hosting monthly "Kids First" activities to highlight an area of volunteerism with abused and neglected children. Past Kids First events have included the program’s launch that highlighted the First Steps program at Atlanta’s Grady Memorial Hospital and a volunteer drive within the Middle Georgia faith community.

For the past four years, First Lady Mary Perdue has hosted a series of statewide events and summits in order to raise awareness of the needs of abused and neglected children in Georgia. Last year, as part of her annual Summit, First Lady Mary Perdue traveled to 15 cities in every corner of the state, hosting volunteer activities in order to increase awareness and participation within communities across the state. The Summit involved nearly 4,000 Georgians in hands-on volunteer activities, recruited new foster families and encouraged new business, faith and civic community involvement with child-serving agencies in their areas. 

"Dedication to Georgia’s children should not be limited to one day or one month," said First Lady Mary Perdue. "Volunteerism can, and must, continue to be a lasting part of our daily life."

Future "Kids First" events will include a baby shower for foster children, a foster family appreciation night and a book drive for children in foster care.