Check out our press from community members who have hosted product drives! Gain insight into the drive process, and get good ideas for hosting your own drive!

What people are saying about us...

Success Story: Jacob's Bar Mitzvah

Photography by Julia Zhogina
Although flower arrangements usually grace the tables of a Bar Mitzvah celebration, Jacob wanted his reception to be different. He decided that he would buy items he enjoys as a 13 year-old boy--sports equipment, clothes, books--to arrange as centerpieces and donate these items after the celebration to Cradles to Crayons. This turned out to be a wonderful thing as guests enjoyed looking at these creative, fun centerpieces of donations knowing that all these items would be soon ending up in the hands of local kids in disadvantaged situations. Shortly after his Bar Mitzvah, Jacob came to Cradles to Crayons to drop off the several bags full of new items--the big smile he had as he unloaded the items proved how rewarding this experience had been.

Success Story: Walsh Middle School - Framingham, MA

"...Students said that they felt it was important to give to those who would be in need of school supplies come fall, and did a wonderful job stepping up to this contributing toward this need."

- Janet Anderson, Tech Ed Teacher/E-Zine Advisor at Walsh Middle School

Every spring the Walsh Middle School in Framingham, MA holds charity fundraiser 5k run/walk.
The professionally timed event draws runners of all ages from the local area. This year, the event boasted over 65 participants, which included middle school students as well as local high school student cross country members, adults from the surrounding communities looking for qualifying times for the Boston Marathon, and an assortment of dog walkers. Along with the event, the school held raffles for an assortment of items, including tickets to a Red Sox game, a hand made quilt, tickets to the WUMB Music Festival, and an assortment of gift certificates to local stores. The event raised $1,000 for Cradles to Crayons.

Success Story: Brookline/Chestnut Hill Communities

"It has been a wonderful experience to witness the contributions made by a wide variety of individuals and groups in our town and the impact it has on our children and community. Thanks to all who made this possible...we joined forces to create what we hope will become an annual [event]." – Joanne Liautaud, Co-Chair of the Brookline/Chestnut Hill Spring Greening Clothing Drive, along with Janet Nahirny

For one week, eleven public and private schools and two local businesses collected children’s clothing, toys and equipment. At the end of the week, a committed corps of more than 50 volunteers - adults and children alike - came together to sort all the clothing by gender, size and season and packaged it up. All 150 bags of clothing were delivered to C2C to make life better for more than 400 children.

Success Story: Sacred Heart High School

"Last year, students donated shoes and participated in an "Empathy Walk." Over 200 students and faculty members joined in the efforts and collected nearly 325 pairs of shoes to C2C. The number of items contributed increased over the years...the drive was very successful." – Sister Donna Gribschaw, CDP, Campus Minister

Participating students brought in bag after bag of children's clothing, infant furniture, toys and school supplies. This drive is the school's third since 2007.

Success Story: Medfield Cub Scout Pack 200

"Since it was a cold evening on the night of our drive, the scouts seemed to have a greater appreciation for the help they were providing to children within the Boston community. We would certainly do the drive again as it built scout and family excitement for the project, and everyone said how easy it was to lend a helping hand."" – Sheila Macie, Medfield

The pack, made up of boys in grades one through five, collected 180 coats and boots for local kids in need. Check out the article in the Medfield Press.

Success Story: The Giving Girls

"For young kids, it's great for them to relate to something tangible...people were happy to participate. The event is like a pebble in a pond...it makes a small ripple, but it affects so many people." – Amy Goober, co‐founder of The Giving Girls, Burlington

The girls raised over $500 for C2C. Check out the article in the Burlington Union.

Success Story: EMC – Largest drive ever

EMC rose to the challenge and delivered the largest, most successful drive to date. When all was said and done, EMC collected 30,269 items, contributed 492 volunteer hours, and raised over $8,800.

.

 

Success Story: Wellesley Dental Group

"We really value what C2C stands for..."

(From left: Abby Roitman, Dr. Femina Ali, and Christine McCall)

Success Story: Newbury Town Library

"Christine McCall and Melanie Collins from Cradles to Crayons made the process so easy..." – Laurie Collins, Children's Librarian, Newbury Town Library

See the letter to the editor in The Daily News

Success Story: Mama & Me

"Teaming with Cradles to Crayons seems like such a natural match for us. We are proud that Cradles to Crayons was founded by a local JP Mom and happy to support her efforts by hosting regular clothing and donation drives at Mama & Me." – Shannon Nelson, Founder, Mama & Me

(From left: Mama & Me Founder Shannon Nelson and instructor Laura Salafia)