EASTON, Pa. — In the spirit of giving, Crayola employees gave leaders and staff from local nonprofits 5,000 reasons to celebrate this holiday season.
At the fifth annual Crayola United Way $100K Challenge, 20 Crayola employees gifted $5,000 to the selected nonprofit of their choice.
On Monday, leaders and staff from the nonprofits were invited to a celebration to receive the grants at Crayola's headquarters.
Established in 2019, the $100,000 Challenge was created to encourage giving while supporting the communities where Crayola employees work and reside.
'A huge impact' for families
Among the recipients was Slater Family Network, a nonprofit based in Bangor that provides assistance to families in Bangor Area School District.
The organization has an emergency food pantry, a free clothing closet and offers mental health counseling.
"It was a surprise and wonderful news because we're a stand-alone nonprofit," Slater Family Network Executive Director Patti Damour said.
''We're in the Slate Belt, so we don't necessarily get a lot of coverage. Five thousand dollars will be a huge impact on what we can do reaching out to families."
The nonprofit, at 187 South Points Richmond Road, provides meals through its food pantry, free clothing and mental health counseling.
“My family and I went through some tough times and money was so tight that we didn’t know how we would get Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner or gifts. Slater Family Network helped us so much during that time."Lisa Wilgus
Slater Family Network was chosen by Crayola operator Lisa Wilgus.
“My family and I went through some tough times and money was so tight that we didn’t know how we would get Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner or gifts," Wilgus said.
"Slater Family Network helped us so much during that time."
In September, an estimated 600 Crayola employees, about 70% of its workforce, signed up for a raffle to determine who would partake in the United Way Challenge.
Nonprofits of their choice
As in years past, the raffle winners were allowed to pick the nonprofit of their choice.
This year's recipients are: Turning Point Lehigh Valley, Bradbury Sullivan LBGT Center, Children's Home of Easton and Meals on Wheels of Greater Lehigh Valley.
Also, West Penn Fire Company, Shanti Project, Moravian University, Bethlehem Area Public Library and the Slater Family Network.
Also, The Arc of Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Laughing at My Nightmare Inc., Ascend Counseling Services Inc. and Cancer Support Community Greater Lehigh Valley.
Also, Summit Hill Heritage Center, Third Street Alliance for Women and Children, the Foundation for Easton Area School District, Cay Galgon Life House and United Way Northwest Arkansas.
'Important for everyone'
Crayola marker operator Teresa Neives selected Ascent Counseling Services as her grantee.
The Easton-based nonprofit provides free and low-cost counseling for individuals and families.
"We work with United Way because they have full visibility of the needs in our community and they have the most efficient way to make sure that the gifts that we give get to them to the people who need it."<br/>Crayola Chief Operating Officer Pete Ruggiero
"As a person who struggles with mental health and who also has a parent who struggles, it is important for everyone to have the resources to get help before it’s too late," Nieves said.
Crayola Chief Executive Officer Pete Ruggiero applauded the efforts of employees and United Way.
"We work with United Way because they have full visibility of the needs in our community," Ruggiero said.
"And they have the most efficient way to make sure that the gifts that we give get to them to the people who need it."
