Philly Non Profit Cradles To Crayons Gets $20k From Bank Of America

Cradles to Crayons is a non profit organization that provides children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive. It operates in Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

And in the giving season, the Philadelphia area Cradles to Crayons received a sizeable donation from one of the nation's largest banking institutions.

Bank of America’s Philadelphia Market President James F. Dever presented Cradles to Crayons with a $20,000 check Wednesday to support the organization's mission in the Philadelphia market.

The donation came in conjunction with a volunteer visit to Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory, where Bank of America executives and teams put together customized KidPacks: packages containing one week’s worth of essentials such as clothing and books for local children in need.

Christopher Miller, Market Executive of Merrill Lynch was recently elected as a board member of Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia’s board of directors.

“Bank of America and its commitment to our mission has been key to our success in Philadelphia,” Philadelphia Cradles to Crayons Executive Director Michal Smith said in a statement. “We are extremely grateful to have Bank of America’s support in our mission to provide children in need with the essentials they need to stay safe and warm this winter.”

Through contributions form Bank of America, Cradles to Crayons can continue to expand and make an increasing impact on children living in poverty across the country by addressing the basic needs of the community, the organization said in a press release.

Cradles to Crayons was awarded Bank of America’s esteemed Neighborhood Builders Award, the nation’s largest philanthropic investment in nonprofit leadership development, for Massachusetts in 2010 and Greater Philadelphia in 2012, according to the organization.

“At Bank of America we believe a child’s future starts with a safe home and a proper education,” Market Executive of Merrill Lynch Christopher Miller said in a statement. “Our employees are extremely grateful to work alongside passionate individuals who truly care about the need of Philadelphia’s children and see the differences they can make on our future.”

Since 2005, Bank of America has provided more than $1.6 million in funding to all three Cradles to Crayons locations and has contributed over 6,825 hours of service in the past 11 years, the organization said.

Visit Cradles to Crayons' website for more information on the non-profit group.

Pictured above from left to right are Bassam Awadalla, Bank of America Philadelphia and Delaware Market Executive; Christopher Miller, Merrill Lynch Market Executive and board member of Cradles to Crayons; Michal Smith, Executive Director of Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia; and James F. Dever, Bank of America Philadelphia’s Market President; along with Bank of America employees who participated in the day of service.

Photo courtesy Cradles to Crayons