Cradles to Crayons Home About Us

We are committed to providing poor and homeless Massachusetts children, from infancy to age 12, with great everyday supplies.

In 2002, Lynn Margherio, noticed how many outgrown clothes and toys her nieces and nephews owned—in virtually new condition. She knew many less-fortunate kids could use the items, but she discovered that no organizations existed to connect efficiently the families who had the items to the families who needed them. Lynn founded Cradles to Crayons to fill this need.

Since then, we have served over 40,000 children- in-need. In 2005 alone, 25,000 local children received high-quality children's goods to keep them warm, safe at home, and ready to learn at school. We are a non-profit organization, whose work is made possible through active community involvement. Over 20,000 volunteers have helped at our Quincy warehouse.

Through community-partnerships with neighbors, schools and companies, as well as civic and faith-based organizations, we generate the supply of products and labor needed to expand our services. Through distribution-partnerships with shelters, health centers, schools, parenting programs and day cares, we directly reach the children who are most at-risk and in-need.

During his 2005 visit to Cradles to Crayons, former President Clinton stressed the importance and power of social entrepreneurship and civic engagement, in which we strongly believe. Every child deserves a chance, and anyone can make an individual difference by becoming part of our team. To learn how you can help, click here.