Community Corner

Cradles to Crayons: Helping Children in Need

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The following is an opinion piece from State Senator Katherine Clark:

This month I am proud to be partnering with the Cradles to Crayons organization to provide new and gently used clothing and other essential items to children in need in Massachusetts. 

Cradles to Crayons is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing low-income and homeless children with the items they need to be safe, warm, and ready to learn.  As winter approaches, community assistance is needed more than ever.  Hundreds of thousands of children in Massachusetts are in need and too many face the winter months without a new, warm coat or go to school without the proper supplies and gear.

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In previous years, families across our communities have generously donated items and volunteered to organize them, and I hope you will continue that tradition.  As Cradles to Crayons Founder and CEO Lynn Margherio puts it, “We deeply appreciate this community effort to collect and sort children's items for the third year in a row. Your efforts will go towards helping thousands of local children this winter receive the essential items like clothing, boots, and coats that they would otherwise be forced to go without. Senator Clark, her team and her constituents continue to make a tangible impact on the lives of children across the Commonwealth, and we are extremely grateful.”

You may donate via collection boxes located throughout the district (between October 9 and October 26) or drop items at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School on Saturday, October 27 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  You can also join us during that time to sort and package the items for delivery to the Cradles to Crayons warehouse.

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This year, the following items are needed:

  • New and gently used children’s clothing, jackets, coats, shoes, sneakers and boots
  • New socks and underwear
  • Books, especially baby board books
  • Brand new arts and crafts/school supplies and new toys
  • Diapers, all sizes (including, clean open diaper packs)
  • Baby equipment, especially strollers and car seats within 5 years old
  • Laundry detergent

You can drop your donations at the following locations between October 9 and October 26:

  • Greenwood School, Wakefield
  • Lincoln School, Melrose
  • Robin Hood School, Stoneham
  • Franklin-ECC, Melrose
  • Burbank YMCA, Reading
  • Salemwood School, Malden

To learn more about Cradles to Crayons and the items needed, please visit: http://boston.cradlestocrayons.org/ or call my office at 617 722-1206.  Thank you, as always, for your support of those in need.

 


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