BOSTON – May 15, 2014 – Local non-profit organization Cradles to Crayons is pleased to announce that First Lady of Massachusetts, Diane Patrick, will be the Honorary Chair of the Cradles to Crayons Gear Up for Baby Program.
With Mother’s Day in May and Father’s Day in June, Cradles to Crayons is focusing on its Gear Up for Baby program to collect and distribute items for infants and toddlers which are in chronically short supply at its “Giving Factory” warehouse in Brighton. From strollers, car-seats, toys and books, to bath, bedding, and hygiene products, Gear Up for Baby helps get parents equipped with the items they need to promote safety and healthy development in their child’s first years.
In 2014, Cradles to Crayons will receive over 14,000 requests to help Massachusetts children age 0- to 3-years-old. TheGear Up for Baby program aims to raise awareness of and support for this critical need. The goal during the months of May and June is to generate enough funding and in-kind product donations to fill 7,000+ of these orders.
“I am happy and honored to be Honorary Chair for Cradles to Crayons’ Gear Up for Baby program,” Mrs. Patrick commented. “It is a privilege to be working to support the work of Cradles to Crayons in order to serve the children in Massachusetts who are most vulnerable.”
There are more than 300,000 children living in low-income or homeless situations in Massachusetts; 80,000 of these children are infants and toddlers. In the first year of life alone, it can cost a family of four living in the Northeast over $10,000 to provide the everyday essential items that children need to be safe, healthy and thrive. Many families are unable to afford essential baby basics. For children lacking these essential items, healthy development becomes challenging. These are a few of the facts that describe the need Cradles to Crayons addresses by collecting and distributing new and gently-used clothing, toys, books, and safety items.
“We are thrilled that Diane Patrick is the Honorary Chair of this important program,” said Sharon Reilly, Executive Director, Cradles to Crayons – Boston. “She is a passionate and committed leader in Massachusetts, as well as a mother and grandmother. We are honored that she is supporting this program by lending her voice and presence to help us provide essential items to more than 14,000 little ones this year.”
Individuals, families, corporations, faith-based organizations, and community groups are encouraged to participate in Cradles to Crayons’ Gear Up for Baby program this spring by hosting “C2C Baby Showers” to collect items from Cradles to Crayons’ most-needed items list for infants and toddlers. To learn more about the Gear Up for Baby program, visit Cradles to Crayons’ website at www.cradlestocrayons.org/gearupforbaby.
Sponsors for the 2014 Gear Up for Baby program include WCVB-TV, DigitasLBi, BNY Mellon, Dorel Juvenile, Arbella Insurance Foundation, and P&G Gillette.