Staff members of the Office of International Programs spent a morning volunteering at Cradles to Crayons just before the Thanksgiving break. Cradles to Crayons, a non-profit organization located in Quincy, Massachusetts, helps Boston-area children in need by collecting, sorting and distributing children’s items. The organization, which is approximately two years old, provided clothing, toys, books and other items to over 7,000 children in 2003 and expects to reach its goal of helping 10,000 children in 2004.

Cradles to Crayons is known for the high quality of the merchandise it distributes. “Good enough for our own children” is their motto. OIP staff members enjoyed working together to sort through donations, identifying those that meet the Cradles to Crayons standard. Several staff members commented on how good it felt to participate in such an effort.