Cradles to Crayons Massachusetts

We had so much fun at our Halloween-themed Family Leadership Circle (FLC) volunteer shift. Together 150 volunteers celebrated Halloween at Cradles to Crayons. The Giving Factory was decorated with webs and pumpkins and we saw some fun costumes! The crew helped us sort, quality check, and prepare winter over 1,500 winter clothing essentials this weekend. You can be part of special events like these by joining our FLC: https://hubs.li/Q02W3z4Q0

Did you know that Cradles to Crayons’ Young Professionals Group (YPG) offers leadership development opportunities for those that are between the ages 21-35? From planning fundraisers to organizing community events, YPG members learn valuable skills while giving back. It’s the perfect way to make an impact, meet new people, and grow as a leader in your community. Ready to take the next step in your personal and professional journey? Let’s grow together! https://hubs.li/Q02VbS_y0

SAVE THE DATE!⁠ Our friends @VolanteFarm are hosting their 12th Annual PumpkinFest on Saturday, October 26, from 1:00-5:00pm—and they're generously donating all admission proceeds to Cradles to Crayons! Admission gets you a day's worth of great entertainment, including unlimited pumpkin carving, snacks and treats, live music, and more! We hope you can join this community event, which will be fun for the whole family.

We love welcoming the Berkshire Bank team of volunteers to The Giving Factory each year for the bank’s annual Xtraordinary Day of service. On XDay this year, they helped us quality-check and sort clothing items in our Sizing Station. We are so grateful for their recent $10,000 grant to support our #ReadyforLearning initiative. Running from June 1-September 30, #ReadyforLearning distributed over 155,000 packages to kids in need across the Commonwealth, including a record 75,000 backpacks! #WhereYouBankMatters

Cradles to Crayons' Young Professionals Group (YPG) knows how to balance work and play! ⚾️ Together, we enjoyed a fantastic evening at Fenway Park with fellow YPG members—networking, cheering on the @RedSox, and building community connections. Whether you’re new to Boston or looking for a way to give back, our YPG are the perfect mix of fun and purpose. Interested in joining? Check out our website: https://hubs.li/Q02Sd0MP0

It's BACK and better than ever! Your team can help support children in need this giving season by giving back with an Outfit Pack! Help us keep kids warm this winter by providing a full week’s worth of essential clothing. Here's how your team can help: 🧥Turn it into a fun team-building activity! Sign up to support one or more children, then split the list among your team so everyone contributes an item or two. Or your team can shop together in-store or online to create a complete, cohesive outfit. We will work with your team to find the right event format! Sounds like a perfect activity for your team? Get start here: https://hubs.li/Q02SkXD50

Looking for a meaningful way to celebrate the holidays with your team? This season, why not give back together by volunteering at the Giving Factory! Whether it’s a holiday party, team-building event, or a special day of service, your company can help us spread joy and provide essential clothing to children in need. It's the perfect way to bond while making a real difference in the community. Let’s make this holiday season one to remember—join us in bringing warmth and smiles to kids across the community! Please reach out to Katherine (ktwait@cradlestocrayons.org) to get started!

This #NationalDiaperNeedAwarenessWeek has been busy AND impactful. Cradles to Crayons joined forces with the Massachusetts Diaper Bank Coalition to spotlight the urgent need for diapers across the state. In 2023 alone, the coalition distributed over 5 million diapers to more than 8,300 children monthly in 2023 alone—and the need is only growing. Our staff had the honor of presenting alongside incredible peers from our 12-member coalition at “Addressing Diaper Need in Massachusetts: A Virtual Event with the Massachusetts Diaper Bank Coalition,” advocating for policy change to support families facing diaper need. The event featured Massachusetts diaper need champions Senator Joan Lovely, and Representatives Mindy Domb, Smitty Pignatelli, and Stephen Xiarhos. We know there is more work to be done and you can help. Join Cradles to Crayons as we work to #EndDiaperNeed and #EndClothingInsecurity: https://hubs.li/Q02RK2g00 National Diaper Bank Network

Last week, we had the honor of partnering with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts of Massachusetts for #ServiceDay2024! Their incredible team brought energy and dedication, making a huge impact both at our Giving Factory and in their own office. Together, we rolled up our sleeves and worked toward a shared mission—supporting children in need—by assembling 1,110 hat & glove sets, 600 outfit packs, sorting through 12 bins in Big Sort, and fulfilling 6 orders in our Shopping Station! 👕 Thank you, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, for your ongoing commitment and support. We couldn’t do it without amazing partners like you!

❄️ It's time to kick off our annual Gear Up for Winter campaign! 🧥🧤🧣 As winter approaches, many families are still recovering from a costly back-to-school season. In fact, 31% of adults went into debt just to purchase school supplies (Bankrate survey, 8/2024). With rising prices on essentials, families are feeling the strain more than ever. Coats and warm clothing are essential for children to stay safe and warm. Donate new or gently used winter gear to help kids we serve this winter. Let’s ensure every child has the warmth they deserve this season! Join us and help us #EndClothingInsecurity today. Everything you need is here: https://hubs.li/Q02RF9w80