Since 2008, poverty in the Greater Philadelphia region has grown at an alarming rate, reaching 6.4 percent in Montgomery County and a staggering 28.4 percent in Philadelphia, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.  At the same time, thousands of area residents have fought back by delivering much-needed items to children in need through Shire’s Big Give, an annual regional collection drive.

Now, Montgomery County is joining the effort to help local kids with a giving station at the Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory, 30 Clipper Road in West Conshohocken, PA.  It will be open for collections on Saturday, October 13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

Shire’s Big Give is a region-wide collection drive for Cradles to Crayons, a non-profit organization that distributes items for children aged birth to 12 through local agencies.  Among the local 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.

For the first time, collection drives will be held in each county in the region, culminating in a massive effort to help over 5,000 children to feel warm, safe and ready to learn.

Much-needed items include new socks and underwear, pants for boys age seven and up, sneakers and any baby items including strollers, diaper bags and car seats less than five years old.  Notebooks, backpacks, and folders are also in high demand. Donations received at Shire’s Big Give will be sorted 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.

“We hope that Montgomery County elementary and middle schools, community organizations and families with children will step up and help us reach our goal of helping over 5,000 deserving children,” said Caroline West, Senior Vice President Chief Compliance and Risk Officer of Shire Pharmaceuticals. “If everyone gives just a little, we can have a huge and lasting impact on thousands of lives.”

“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.”