Shire’s Big Give: Kids in MontCo Can Help Children in Need

In Pennsylvania, one in 10 kids is affected by poverty; in Philadelphia, the number is one in three.  They’re children from low-income homes or who are homeless and living in shelters.  Often, they’re the children who live next door and whose parents have lost their jobs.  That’s why Shire is calling on Montgomery County elementary and middle schools, families with children and youth and community organizations to participate in Shire’s Big Give.  The goal: to deliver clothing, books, toys and school supplies to thousands of children who have done without.

Shire’s Big Give is a region-wide collection drive for Cradles to Crayons, a non-profit organization serving the greater Philadelphia region that distributes basic essentials for children from birth to 12 through local agencies.  Among their Montgomery County partners are Abington Memorial Health Care, Laurel House, Lutheran Children and Family Services, Montgomery County Head Start, Montgomery County Office of Children and Youth and the Hatboro YMCA.
Collections can be dropped off at Shire’s Big Give on Friday, October 7 from noon to 8 pm and on Saturday, October 8 from 9 am to 4 pm at Wilson Farm Park in the Chesterbrook Corporate Center, Wayne, PA.  

“In suburban communities, homelessness has risen 57 percent in the past decade and in Pennsylvania it has risen 46 percent in two years.  We need to come together to help give these children the basic essentials they need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn and valued,” said Mike Cola president of Shire Pharmaceuticals.  “Beginning in 2008, we reached over 4,000 children a year through Shire’s Big Give.  Our goal this year is to collect donations that can help 5,000 kids.  

Much-needed items include new socks and underwear, pants for boys age 8 and up, batteries and any baby items including strollers, pack ‘n plays and car seats less than five years old.  Donations received at Shire’s Big Give will be sorted by Shire employees at Cradles to Crayons’ Giving Factory, where volunteers pick out a week’s worth of clothing in a specific size and create a personalized KidsPack for each child.  

“Shire’s Big Give is a fantastic opportunity for parents to teach their kids about generosity.  A six year old can give a favorite t-shirt that he’s outgrown to another child, to become his favorite t-shirt.  Recycling gently used clothes and books is also great for the environment,” said Michal Smith, executive director of Cradles to Crayons. “We really rely on the Shire Big Give to provide us with much needed items in our high demand fall and winter months.”