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Cradles to Crayons' "Friends" Event at Boyds Raises Money to Help Kids

Cradles to Crayons’ “Friends” Event at Boyds Raises Money to Help Keep Kids Warm this Winter

“Friends of Cradles to Crayons,” a new support component of the local nonprofit that addresses the poverty faced by one in five children in the Greater Philadelphia region, has completed its successful launch, raising a significant amount of money during an event hosted by Boyds Philadelphia.

The fundraiser kicked off on November 13 at Boyds’ Center City location, and gave scores of Friends’ members and their guests an early start on their holiday shopping, providing access to an exclusive selection of the store’s fall and winter men’s and women’s merchandise – along with special shopping discounts. The “Friends” group was able to take advantage of the special shopping opportunity through Saturday, November 23.

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Local disadvantaged and underserved children served by Cradles to Crayons’ human service agency partners were beneficiaries of the money raised by ticket sales to the event and Boyds’ donation of a portion of merchandise purchased by ”Friends” members and their guests during the event.

”Friends of Cradles to Crayons” is a group of young philanthropists and community activists in the Greater Philadelphia region who support the mission of Cradles to Crayons. They join a host of people and organizations that work together to make a difference in their communities in order to make life better for children in need – by donating children’s items, hosting product collection drives, volunteering at the organization’s West Conshohocken warehouse, contributing funds, and serving as ambassadors for Cradles to Crayons throughout the area.

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The event committee was co-chaired by Philip D. Amoa of McCarter & English, LLP, and Alicia Payne.

“No matter how the event’s success is measured,” said Michal Smith, Cradles to Crayons’ executive director, “whether by –

• “The much-needed funds to enable us to collect and provide the area’s low-income and/or homeless children, 0-12, with basic, essential winter supplies, such as warm clothing, footwear and books, they need to feel safe and warm during our area’s harsh winter season;

•  “The overwhelming response by the ‘Friends’ to the special pre-holiday shopping discounts provided by Boyds Philadelphia on an exclusive selection of its fall and winter men’s and women’s merchandise; or

• “The wonderful foundation the event provided our new Friends’ group during an evening highlighted by socializing with Friends’ members, shopping, and enjoying complimentary food and drink – which set a standard for future events of the group.

“The common denominator is the more than 300,000 children, living in poor and low-income situations in our area. It is especially important at this time of the year,” she continued. ”A child who does not have a warm coat and a pair of boots is not prepared to go to school in bitter cold temperatures, and that greatly increases the likelihood of dropping out…with its resultant long-term implications  for the child, the family, and the community.”  

 

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