Events
Our Signature Events
Un-Gala®
Our Gear Up for Winter signature event, the Un-Gala®, brings families together to have fun and give back. Each winter, volunteers – all ages – gather to sort and pack everyday essentials – like hats, gloves, scarves, and more – that bring warmth to thousands of children in need within the Greater Philadelphia Region.
Many children will struggle to stay warm this season in our harsh climate. Our annual Un-Gala®, the signature event for our Gear Up for Winter initiative, brings companies and families together to provide these children-in-need with warm winter essentials through a day of fun and impactful service.
Backpack-A-Thon®
Un-like their peers, kids from low-income or homeless families lack basic school supplies that provide them with a real chance to learn and succeed. Ready for School’s signature event, Backpack-A-Thon® brings together more than 600 volunteers, primarily corporate, to stuff thousands of backpacks and to enable kids to arrive at school ready and excited to learn. Backpack-A-Thon® is a high-energy corporate event fueled by great spirit and friendly competition.
At this high-energy event, volunteers from various corporate partners stuff backpacks assembly-line style – with friendly competition encouraged! Our Service Partners then pick up the backpacks and distribute them to needy children before the school year starts, getting local children ready and excited to learn.
Event Calendar
Looking for specific events? Use the categories to filter our event opportunities.
Support Cradles to Crayons’ Ready for School initiative and help 30,000 local children succeed in school this year!
The Initiative
As one school year comes to a close, Cradles to Crayons is already focused on getting children ready for the next. Presented by OMAM and TJX Companies Inc., the Ready for School initiative distributes backpacks filled with new, age-appropriate school supplies and KidPacks filled with shoes, clothing, and more, to ensure that children arrive at school on the first day prepared and excited to learn! This year we celebrate the 11th anniversary of this critical initiative.
The Need
Starting school without the tools needed to succeed can put big obstacles in a developing child’s way. Items like backpacks, art supplies, writing tools, and back-to-school clothing are imperative to help get children mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared for school. New backpacks and supplies give children a sense of pride and excitement to go back to school. With these tools, they are more likely to attend school and complete homework — knowing they have the same chance at school success as their peers. Parents can focus on rent and groceries instead of facing the stress of school-related expenses.