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.

Since its inception in Boston in 2002, Cradles to Crayons (C2C®) successfully expanded to Philadelphia in 2006 and then to Chicago in 2016.  C2C continues to provide children and families in need with clothing, shoes, books, school supplies, and developmental toys to help children feel safe, valued and ready to learn at home and in the classroom. More than 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 landmarks and buildings throughout the city 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 iconic locations:

•                    Prudential Center

•                    Boston Convention Center

•                    Atlantic Wharf

•                    Boston City Hall

•                    Rose Kennedy Greenway

•                    Boston Harbor Hotel

•                    UMass Boston

“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 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.”

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

About Cradles to Crayons

Cradles to Crayons launched in 2002 and has operations in Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The nonprofit provides children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school, and at play. They supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need. Cradles to Crayons mobilizes communities to collect and donate new and gently used high-quality children’s items. The organization also engages thousands of youth and adults each year in tangible service activities that benefit local children in need. For more information, please visit www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston/.