Last week, Cradles to Crayons hosted its fourth annual Backpack-A-Thon in Chicago where over 800 volunteers filled more than 50,000 backpacks with school supplies for children in need. Sharon, Massachusetts-based supplier Charles River Apparel (PPAI 111644, S10), a bronze sponsor of the Backpack-A-Thon event, outfitted Cradles to Crayons employees and recruited a team of employees and distributors around the Chicago area, including staff from Printable Promotions, Axis Promotions and Club Colors, to participate as volunteers.

Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essentials needed to thrive at home, at school and at play. All children’s items were collected through donations and processed and packaged by volunteers in the organization’s warehouses or at hosted events. Cradles to Crayons was founded in Boston in 2002 and expanded into Philadelphia in 2006 and Chicago in 2016.

“The Backpack-A-Thon was a terrific way for our team to get out of the office and work together for a great cause,” says Mitch Silver, vice president of Printable Promotions. “Activities like this not only make a difference in the world but help build team camaraderie and a strong workplace culture. We loved being part of the Charles River volunteer crew today!”

Johanna Gottlieb, vice president of sales at Axis Promotions, says, “What an amazing event! There was so much energy and positive vibes for an amazing cause. We truly were proud volunteers.”
For more information about Cradles to Crayons, click here.