It's all too easy to get caught up in our to-do lists – be it at work, at home, or often both – and miss the opportunities to pause, be present, connect with our communities, and also to give back. So, as much as we love the work we do in the wild world of ecommerce, the Fastr team enthusiastically closed their computers to spend an afternoon with Cradles to Crayons.
With the Fastr HQ and many of our team members based in Boston, this statistic from Cradles to Crayons was gripping: more than 1 in 3 Massachusetts children live in low-income or homeless situations. Not a Massachusetts resident? Here's a broader perspective: 2 in 5 children in the US live at or below the federal poverty level.
As most government programs only address food, housing, and energy, Cradles to Crayons is an organization working to provide children with what they need to more fully participate in life. This includes a focus on tackling "Clothing Insecurity" – a term used to formally recognize another basic essential: adequate and appropriate clothing.
The Fastr team spent an afternoon at The Giving Factory, the Cradles to Crayons warehouse that turns compassion into action. To help prepare for the colder months ahead, the team diligently unboxed winter coat donations, sorted them by size, and repackaged them for distribution – ensuring that in every box was a variety of colors and styles so that the children on the receiving end get to experience the joy of choice – something often taken for granted by those more fortunate.
By the end of our time at The Giving Factory, our team had processed and prepared over 1,000 winter coats to be distributed to the community through various partner organizations.
Knowing that our afternoon's efforts meant that a thousand children in need will have the adequate outerwear for a Massachusetts winter felt nothing shy of awesome. But as the statistics above so clearly verify, there is ongoing need for support and so many ways for you to answer the call.
Take action with or donate to Cradles to Crayons, find a charitable organization in your region, and disconnect from your ever-growing to-do list to connect with your community.