United Church of Christ in Medfield

Boys Size 11/12 clothing
Girls toddler tops
Baby toys
Baby board books
Crib Sheets
Winter coats
New socks and underwear
Car Seats-less than five years old
Strollers
Pack ‘n Plays

Upcoming Volunteer Dates at the Cradles to Crayons Warehouse for 2011-2012
Friday, September 16th
Wednesday, October 12th
Friday, November 18th
Tuesday, December 6th
Tuesday, January 11th
SATURDAY, January 28th-church wide Mission Possible Day
Friday, February 10th
Tuesday, March 13th
Wednesday, April 11th
Friday, May 18th
We meet at the church at 9:10 am and then carpool to the C2C warehouse for a 10-12:30 work shift.  We are back in Medfield by 1:15 pm.  YOU CAN SIGN UP ON THE CLIP BOARDS IN THE NARTHEX FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE DATES.

History of Partnership

In July 2008, Children’s Ministries was awarded our first $5,000 grant from the UCC Medfield Missions team to broaden our support of Cradles to Crayons.  In addition to our financial support, there has been a tremendous outpouring of volunteer time to sort, process, drive donations down to the warehouse and work at The Giving Factory (C2C’s warehouse in North Quincy). In May 2009 and May 2010, Children’s Ministries was awarded additional grants of $5,000 each and $7,500 in April 2011 to continue our support of Cradles to Crayons.

Financial Support (July 2008-present)

Other activities

Monthly workday at C2C warehouse
Starting in October 2008, UCC Medfield has served once a month for a 2 1/2 to three hour shift in the warehouse. 

Off-site sorting/packaging program
Starting in January 2009, UCC Medfield has provided off-site sorting and packaging program for socks, underwear, tights and infant caps.  Individuals and families are encouraged to pick up a reusable grocery bag (or two) of items and package them for inclusion in the clothing pre-packs in the warehouse.  Our participation in this program has greatly expedited the processing of children’s clothing packs in the warehouse.  In addition, it has given a large number of individuals and families the opportunity to participate in the work of C2C without traveling to Quincy. Many families with young children have found this to be a wonderful family activity.  Importantly, anyone who participates in this program is encouraged to pray for the children who receive the items before they begin their processing.

Summer hat and bathing suit processing
From May 2009-May 2010, UCC Medfield provided off-site inspecting, sorting and packaging summer hats for boys and girls as well bathing suits.  This was done through periodic “sorting parties” to accomplish these tasks.  Cradles is currently looking for a new partner for this ongoing project.

On-going donation site in Medfield
Kathy Mills has generously volunteered her home as an ongoing donation site for Medfield residents. On average, one car load of donations has been delivered every week to the Quincy warehouse since May 2008. 

Large group sorting events

• Focus on Youth-
• 30 Hour Famine Participants-
• Medfield Brownie and Cub Scout Troops

Medfield Girl Scout Volunteer Meeting
On April 16, 2009, Susan Holbrook spoke to the Medfield Girl Scout volunteers (no longer called leaders) about increasing Girl Scout involvement in C2C.

Operation Undercover/Sock-it-to You/We’re Having a Ball Keeping Kids Warm this Winter
Children’s Ministries has sponsored three large scale stewardship collections over the past three years. 
In Novimber 2007, we had a “special agent” visit our Children’s Church service to launch Operation Undercover.  Our mission was TOP SECRET and children were asked to donate new underwear to Cradles to Crayons.  Each child received a TOP SECRET envelope to bring their underwear back to church during the month of November. 
In November 2008, our theme was SOCK-IT-TO-YOU and our focus was on collecting another high demand item for Cradles—-new socks for boys and girls.
November 2009’s theme was We’re Having a Ball Keeping kids warm this winter and all Children’s Ministry students were encouraged to bring in warm hats and mittens for the upcoming winter season.

Medfield Green Day
In May of 2009, the Medfield Green MOMs hosted a community collection and donation event at the Senior Center parking lot.  Their objective was to offer our community the opportunity to donate gently used and no longer wanted items to charities and organizations that handle redistribution and dispensation in an environmentally responsible way.  UCC Medfield staffed the Cradles to Crayons collection tables and sorted and packed two truckloads of donations that were delivered to the Quincy warehouse.  This successful event was repeated in April of 2010.  A seventeen foot UHAUL trailer was filled to capacity with clothing and baby equipment and delivered to the Quincy warehouse.  In 2011, we held another successful Green Day at a new venue—-the American Legion parking lot- and we filled a large landscape trailer with much needed clothing and baby equipment.  Many thanks to Shady Tree Landscaping for providing transportation to the Brighton warehouse.

Coffee and Conversation at UCC Medfield
On May 20, 2009 , CEO and founder of C2C, Lynn Margherio, joined us at UCC Medfield for coffee and conversation. Lynn spoke to a large group about how she started C2C back in 2002 and what challenges C2C faces in the future to meet every increasing demand for their services. At the event, we presented Lynn with a $1,500 check for the Ready to School program (backpacks) and educational toys and supplies for infants.