Boston and Chicago landmarks join in support of the nonprofit’s years of service

(Boston, MA- September 21, 2017)- Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit organization that equips children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive, is thrilled to recognize its 15th anniversary this month. Saturday, September 23, 2017 marks the anniversary of the organization’s launch in Boston, ten years in Philadelphia, and one year in Chicago.

Since its inception in Boston in 2002, Cradles to Crayons (C2C®) successfully expanded to Philadelphia in 2006 followed by Chicago in 2016.  C2C continues to provide children and families in need with clothing, books, school supplies, and toys to help children feel safe, valued and ready to learn at home and in the classroom. Over 300,000 volunteers and several hundred service partners have committed to the organization over the years and have assisted in serving over one million children across the three cities.

In support of the organization’s 15 years of service, participating Boston and Chicago landmarks and buildings throughout the cities will join C2C by lighting up the exterior of their properties purple on September 23. The public can expect to see purple on some of the city’s most monumental locations:

Boston

  • Prudential Center
  • Boston Convention Center
  • Atlantic Wharf
  • Boston City Hall
  • Rose Kennedy Greenway
  • Boston Harbor Hotel
  • UMass Boston
  • Bolling Building, Boston Public Schools

 

Chicago

  • 440 South LaSalle
  • Aon Center
  • Crain Communications Building
  • John Hancock Center
  • Two Prudential Plaza
  • Willis Tower
  • Wrigley Building

“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone and are grateful for our outstanding volunteers, donors and partners whose support has allowed us to reach this point,” said Lynn Margherio, Founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons. “Going purple with the city’s local landmarks and buildings is a wonderful way to commemorate our anniversary and we truly appreciate their participation. We are proud of the impact we have made in the lives of children and families across the Commonwealth over the last 15 years and are excited to continue to pursue our vision.”

“As a Chicagoan, I am so proud of our community and our business partners who’ve come together to serve over 47,000 local kids in need.  But it’s not just a cause – behind that number are individual kids, each of whom has a story and all of whom deserve to grow, learn, and play without worrying about their basic needs,” said Bernard Cherkasov, Executive Director of Cradles to Crayons Chicago. “We are proud of the impact we have made in Chicago so far and are eager to serve many more children who are counting on us.”

C2C staff, board members and volunteers will gather at the Giving Factory in honor of this momentous anniversary. The community is encouraged to also partake in the celebration by donating birthday gifts to children in need. C2C will accept new, unwrapped children’s toys at their Brighton and Chicago Giving Factories or any one of their drop-off locations. Find a drop-off location near you here.