CASSOPOLIS – The Cass County Great Start Collaborative and Great Start Parent Coalition are gearing up to make sure local voters know about the Sandbox Party for Michigan’s Youngest Learners.

The non-partisan, non-political party represents the interests of Michigan’s youngest residents, from birth to age 5.

A growing body of research identifies this age group as vital to developing competent citizens and workers, and crucial to Michigan’s economic turnaround.

The 55 Great Start Collaboratives and Great Start Parent Coalitions statewide are coordinating local Sandbox Party outreach, including information for candidates running for office.

Locally, contact Heather Merrill, Great Start collaborative coordinator at 445-6217 and visit the We bsite at www.greatstart-cass.org.

Sandbox Party supporters include parents, representatives from leading early childhood organizations including Michigan’s Children, Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Michigan, Children’s Trust Fund, Michigan League for Human Services, Michigan Association for the Education of Young Children, Michigan Council or Maternal and Child Health, Michigan Association of United Ways and other state leaders.

The Sandbox Party will hold a convention at Michigan State University’s Breslin Student Events Center from 1-4 p.m. on Aug. 26, just days before the Michigan Republican and Democratic parties hold their conventions.

The convention is free and open to all. Kids are especially encouraged to attend with their families and thousands of supporters from across the state are expected.

There will be family entertainment, exhibitors and special appearances by popular Michigan sports, music and new personalities.

Featured entertainment includes the Michigan rock band The Verve Pipe.

The band’s October 2009 release, “A Family Album,”  features family-friendly songs.

The gubernatorial candidates have been invited to speak and to bring their families.
“We plan to fire up the troops to send home the message that all aspects of early childhood – from physical and emotional health to quality child care and prekindergarten – are crucial to Michigan’s next generation” said Judy Samelson, CEO of the Early Childhood Investment Corp.

(ECIC) is a non-profit public corporation that administers the coalitions and is implementing a comprehensive early childhood system across Michigan.

The ECIC was formed to build, grow and administer Great Start, starting with the creation of local community efforts.