Alternate Christmas Gift 2023 – Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia

Alternative Christmas Gift Project

This year our Alternative Christmas Gifts will go to Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia, a valued organization dedicated to serving children and families in the 5 counties surrounding Philadelphia as well as Camden, NJ and Wilmington, DE. We’ve placed boxes and bags on the right side of the sanctuary to hold your gifts.  I am sure you will not be surprised that the first gifts are already there – and are from Jackie!

Cradles to Crayons needs good-condition clothing, shoes, lightweight jackets, winter coats & snow boots as well as new or gently-used books for children from birth through age 12. Some critical items, such as socks, underwear, and hygiene products (lotion, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) must be new when donated. Cradles cannot accept toys, furniture, or any clothing that has religious, holiday, or family references (no Grandma’s Favorite Sweetie tee-shirts). 

So, please go through your children’s and grandchildren’s closets and dressers to find gently used things to donate.  Or you may give new things!  Cradles is making it very easy – they’ve set up an Amazon Wish List just for our church.  You can find it at  https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3TSPJ8VH248J3?ref_=wl_share.

The most needed items are:

Clothing

• NEW Underwear, all sizes and genders
  • Especially sizes 2T to 10/12
• NEW Socks, all sizes and genders
• Winter Clothing – new or gently worn:
  • Long sleeve shirts, all sizes and genders
    • Especially sizes 2T to 18/20
  • Long pants, all sizes and genders
    • Especially boys sizes 2T to 18/20

Winter Accessories

• Winter Coats – new or gently worn, all sizes and genders
  • Especially 0-6 months, and 7/8 to 18/20 (adult medium)
• Gloves – new or gently worn, for kids ages 8-12

Hygiene Items

• NEW Hygiene Supplies
  • Especially shampoo, soap/body wash, diaper cream, wipes, and body lotion

Shoes

• Sneakers – new or gently worn, all sizes and genders
  • Especially girls 11 infant/toddler through 6 youth/adult sizes, and boys 10 infant/toddler through 9 youth/adult sizes

Books

• All children’s ages/reading levels through middle school, especially:
  • Diverse character representation books
  • Board books for infants/toddlers

School Supplies

• NEW Pencil Sharpeners
• NEW Safety Scissors

• NEW Coloring Books