"Fill the Blue Bus" Service Project — Co-Sponsored by the Classes of 1982 and 1987
Motivated by the thoughtful, caring and true character of the Haverford community, the Classes of 1982 and 1987 have come together in support of Cradles to Crayons, an organization that serves hundreds of local social service agencies by providing basic essentials, free of charge, to low-income and homeless children, ages 0 to 12. Founded in Boston in 2002, the Philadelphia arm of Cradles to Crayons benefits more than 30,000 children annually in southeastern Pennsylvania through its collection and distribution of new and gently-used items such as clothing, school supplies, books and toys.
Drop-Off Locations, April 30-May 10
Gardner Integrated Athletic Center, Lobby
CPGC Cafe
Dining Center Foyer
Drop-Off Location, May 14-24
Founders Foyer
Alumni Weekend Drop-Off Location, May 25-27
Whitehead Campus Center registration desk
Alumni Weekend Sorting Opportunities
May 25th at 3:30 p.m.; May 26th at 8:30 a.m.; May 27th at 9:30 a.m.
Whitehead Campus Center, Room 313
The Alumni Weekend Project
To fill the Blue Bus with donations of new and gently-used children’s items.
- Sort through your children’s or grand-children’s closets and bookshelves for appropriate donation items that they have outgrown or never use
- Stop by a local store (near home or here) on your way to Reunion to purchase new items to add to the collection
- Drop your donations off at the Whitehead Campus Center when you arrive on campus
- Opportunities will also be available for local alumni and College faculty and staff to contribute to the project during the week before Alumni Weekend
- View the Cradles to Crayons list of current "most needed items"
- We cannot accept donations of funds for Cradles to Crayons at Haverford
To provide a hands-on opportunity to sort the items in preparation for delivery to the Cradles to Crayons “Giving Factory” in West Conshohocken, PA
- Join us Friday, May 25th, 3:30-4:30 pm, Saturday, May 26th, 8:30-9:30 am and/or Sunday, May 27th, 9:30-10:30 am in Room 313 of the Whitehead Campus Center to help us sort the donations into appropriate categories. One of our students will be ready and willing to provide guidance.
- Sorting is perfect for kids of almost all ages, but we ask that a parent be available to supervise children who come to help during the hours listed above.
- Children ages 11-15 will have an opportunity to participate separately as part of the Tweens and Teens Service, Dinner, and a Movie on Saturday, May 26th. For more information, see the Alumni Weekend schedule.
Clothing (ages 0-12)
- New socks or underwear (must be in original package) or bathing suits (perfect for your suitcase)
- New or gently-used pants, shirts, dresses, jackets, hats, shoes, etc.
- Should be clean and free of tears
- No holiday or religious clothing, items with individual names or items with foul language or that depict violence
New or gently-used books
- No pages torn or missing or writing in book (can erase pencil)
- No religious books or books about families (e.g., “daddy and me,” “mommy and me,” etc.)
School supplies
- New or gently used backpacks
- New school and arts & crafts supplies (notebooks, pencils, crayons, markers, etc.)
Baby items- New or gently used bedding, blankets, diaper bags
- Baby carriers, strollers, equipment
- No cribs. No car seats more than 5 years old
- New baby feeding equipment, pacifiers, etc.
- New baby hygiene products, diapers/wipes, etc.
Toys
- Batteries for toys (perfect for stuffing in your suitcase)
- New toys for CtC's birthday program
- Toys for children ages 0-2
- Puzzles and games for ages 9-12
- Cradles to Crayons is currently unable to accept toys other than those listed above due to space constraints
For more information about Cradles to Crayons, ideas and donation guidelines, please visit Cradles to Crayons.
Thank you, in advance, for supporting the “Fill the Blue Bus” project!