Next Generation Child Care Center is partnering with Cradles to Crayons to keep local children warm this winter. Founded in 2002, Cradles to Crayons is a Boston based non-profit, providing 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.

As the weather becomes bitterly cold, children living in homeless and low-income situations face a new set of challenges. For families already stretching budgets to pay for rent, heat and groceries, providing a warm winter
coat and other winter essentials is often not an option.

Cradles to Crayons provides the essentials children need to survive and thrive during New England’s harsh winter, and is anticipating 17,000 requests for winter coats.

In the face of this overwhelming demand, we are filled with a sense of hope knowing that in large ways and small, each of us has the power to make a difference in our community.

To help make an impact on the lives of local in-need children, drop off your family’s like-new winter coats, snow pants, clothing, winter boots and sneakers for children, infant to 12 years old, at Next Generation Child Care Center located at 516 South Main Street, Andover, MA (978)-475-8010. The collection ends on Friday, Oct. 19.

Please make sure that all donated goods are new or top quality, and contain all pieces and instructions.

Cradles to Crayons cannot accept goods that are missing pieces, broken, dirty, stained, torn, worn out, or written on.

Please bring donations in plastic bags or sealed boxes to keep them clean and organized. Donations are tax-deductible and receipts will be available.

For more information, visit www.cradlestocrayons.org.

If you have any questions, please email juliab@cradlestocrayons.org or call 617-779-4742.