The Great Start Collaborative of Berrien County is launching a campaign to encourage people to shop in Michigan this holiday season as a way to help save the funding for our public schools.

The primary funding source for the Michigan School Aid Budget is sales tax. That means that every time we buy a product in Michigan, the sales tax that we pay is helping to support our schools.

But living in a border county means that we often feel the lure to do our shopping in South Bend, Michigan City, or even Chicago. What many of us don't realize is that shopping in Indiana or Illinois ultimately takes money away from our children's education.

The idea for this campaign, entitled "The Power is Ours," came out of the realization that every one of us can directly impact the future of our children's education.

"Not only do we want to educate people as to where our schools' funding comes from," said Rachel Wade, Director of the Berrien County Great Start Collaborative, "we also want to give them concrete ways that they can make a difference."

This year's state budget crisis has resulted in catastrophic funding cuts for Michigan's public schools. And by all projections, next year will be even worse. Many people are beginning to question our state's tax structure, and are looking at reform options that will provide a more stable base of funding for our schools.

"One good thing has come out of our state's financial difficulties," Wade said, "and that is that more people are paying attention to what happens in Lansing than ever before. People are more aware, but they're also more frustrated. And that makes them more willing to take action that will ultimately lead to positive change."

For more information about "The Power is Ours," or to find other ways that you can get involved, the Parent Coalition page, or call the Berrien County Great Start Collaborative at (269) 471-7725 ext. 1270.