Over the course of the 2013-2014 winter season Cradles to Crayons anticipates receiving requests for basic essentials like coats, clothing, shoes, boots and more, from 17,000 local in-need children. To assist Cradles to Crayons in meeting this demand and to help launch Cradles to Crayons’ Gear Up for Winter efforts, BNY Mellon generously donated 2,500 brand-new winter coats. All of the brand-new winter coats were facilitated through Operation Warm.
Cradles to Crayons’ Gear Up for Winter program is focused on providing the warm winter items children need and deserve to stay safe and healthy this winter. For families already stretching budgets, providing a warm winter coat is often not an option. Children without warm winter coats or other winter items are at a high risk of suffering from cold-related conditions like frostbite and hypothermia.
“Having these brand new winter coats, all in specific sizes we know we will need, is critical before New England winter sets in. With the rising cost of utilities, rent, clothing, food and more, providing winter coats to families helps free up finances to address these other critical unmet needs,” said Lynn Margherio, Founder & CEO of Cradles to Crayons. “We are so grateful to BNY Mellon for making a significant commitment not only to Cradles to Crayons but also to the children and families we serve. We commend BNY Mellon for making the health and safety of Massachusetts’ most vulnerable population a priority.”
On Friday, November 1st employees from BNY Mellon will travel to Cradles to Crayons’ “Giving Factory”, warehouse in Brighton, MA. BNY Mellon employees will volunteer their time to unload, unpackage, and stock the 2,500 brand-new winter coats.
“By working with Cradles to Crayons and Operation Warm, we’re glad that we can meet a need in our community and help keep local kids safe and warm this winter,” said Joanne Jaxtimer, BNY Mellon Regional Executive. “While safety is obviously the top priority, it’s also important for children to feel like they fit in. We hope that having new coats, not hand-me-downs, will help them feel equal to their peers.”
Winter coats will be distributed to thousands of children across the Commonwealth through a network of non-profit partners.
For more information visit, www.cradlestocrayons.org, www.bnymellon.com/csr, or www.operationwarm.org