Chicago-born actor Cortez Smith is making a difference in his community by volunteering at Cradles to Crayons’ Backpack-A-Thon. This annual event is part of the organization’s “Ready for Learning” initiative, which aims to provide essential supplies for the upcoming school year to empower children and maximize their academic success. Through the Backpack-A-Thon, Cradles to Crayons will distribute 252,000 backpacks filled with folders, notebooks, pencils, and crayons to children in need.
The impact of this initiative goes beyond just providing school supplies. Lynn Margherio, the Founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons, emphasizes the importance of ensuring that children have the basic necessities like clothing and shoes to feel safe, valued, and ready to learn. By equipping students with essential school supplies and basic necessities, they can approach their education with confidence, excitement, and dignity.
The support for Cradles to Crayons’ Backpack-A-Thon has been overwhelming, with Hollywood celebrities like Daniel Kyri from NBC’s Chicago Fire and Cortez Smith from Showtime’s The Chi lending their voices to the cause. These influential figures recognize the impact of having the necessary supplies for children to start the school year on the right foot. DeWayne Peevy, VP and Director of Athletics at DePaul University, also expressed gratitude to volunteers for their dedication to helping children in need.
In the United States, many families struggle to afford the expenses of providing their children with school supplies, proper clothes, and shoes. The cost of preparing a child for the start of a new school year can be significant, with the average estimated cost totaling over $890.07 per child. This financial burden can be overwhelming for families already facing economic challenges.
Cradles to Crayons’ efforts to address clothing insecurity and lack of school supplies are crucial in ensuring that all children have access to the resources they need to succeed in school. The organization’s Backpack-A-Thon events take place across the tri-state region, including Chicago, Boston, Wilmington, and Philadelphia, reaching thousands of children in need. In addition to the Backpack-A-Thon, Cradles to Crayons distributes one million packages of clothing, shoes, diapers, and essentials to families and children in its network each year.
In its 22 years of operation, Cradles to Crayons has made a significant impact by providing nearly 6 million packages of essentials to children who lack access to necessary resources. The organization’s commitment to empowering children and families in need is a testament to the importance of community support and volunteerism in creating a brighter future for all. By coming together to support initiatives like the Backpack-A-Thon, we can make a difference in the lives of children and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive.
