More than 15 schools from Montgomery and Chester counties will take part in the drive and its “Battle of the Schools” – a fun competition that awards the two schools that collect the most donations through a combination of product collections and fundraising with a $1,250 grant from The Goldenberg Group’s People Helping People Foundation, according to a submitted press release.

‘“It’s our responsibility and honor to positively impact the communities we serve. Through our annual Metroplex May Day event, our relationships and resources help Cradles to Crayons be more effective in its mission of providing kids in need with the essential items they need to thrive,” said Ellen Lissy Rosenberg, vice president of Development and Civic Engagement for The Goldenberg Group. “Thanks to the support of our partners and supporters, this event continues to flourish enabling us to help thousands of children in need each year.”’

In 2017, the Metroplex May Day collected more than 24,700 gallons of donations, enough clothes, toys, and books to serve 2,756 children across the Greater Philadelphia area. Since 2014, this initiative has grown year after year, collecting 56,810 gallons of product donations benefiting more than 6,400 children.

“Philadelphia has the highest rate of poverty and deep poverty among major U.S. cities.” said Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia Executive Director Michal Smith. “Collections like Metroplex May Day where corporate partners and the community come together to donate gently used children’s items are crucial in our effort to ensure children living in poverty throughout Greater Philadelphia area have the everyday essentials they need to thrive.”

Participants in this year’s “Battle of the Schools” competition include: AIM Academy, Arcola Intermediate School, Bridgeport Elementary, Caley Elementary, Candlebrook Elementary, Colonial Elementary, Colonial Middle School, Colonial School District, Conshohocken Elementary, Garnet Valley Elementary, Highland Elementary, Jarrettown Elementary, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, Pennypack Elementary, Plymouth Elementary, Roberts Elementary, Schuykill Elementary, Simmons Elementary, Welsh Valley Middle School, and Whitemarsh Elementary.

It only takes $33 to support one child with a week’s worth of clothing, shoes, a jacket and everyday essentials through Cradles to Crayons. To further help this initiative, The Goldenberg has introduced a sponsorship component to this year’s Metroplex May Day. The company has raised $5,000 in sponsorships from several area businesses, including M&T Bank, St. Clair CPA Solutions, Phil’s Tavern and Panache.

The Goldenberg Group’s retail tenants and strategic partners will also lend their support to the event. Target has offered to host the collection in its parking lot and will be on hand to serve up food and snacks, generously provided by fellow tenant GIANT Food stores, to visitors and more than 50 volunteers from The Goldenberg Group, Cradles to Crayons and supporting businesses

Donations will be collected on Friday, May 18 from 10 am – 5 pm at the Metroplex Shopping Center (Target Parking Lot), 2200 Chemical Road, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.

For additional information on Metroplex May Day, please visit

https://www.facebook.com/events/836057159913779/.

About The Goldenberg Group

Since 1987, The Goldenberg Group has built a reputation as one of Philadelphia’s top developers of complex, transformative real estate projects. Originally specializing in the development of open-air shopping centers, such as the Metroplex in Plymouth Meeting, Columbus Commons IKEA shopping center in South Philadelphia, and ParkWest Town Center in West Philadelphia, more recently it has matched that reputation in the development of high-end condominiums (The Ayer on Washington Square), high-end homes (Haverford Reserve on the Main Line), student housing (The View at Montgomery at Temple University) and luxury apartments (1213 Walnut in Midtown Village). Even more significantly, in the process, it has created thousands of jobs, generated considerable tax and sales revenue streams, performed extensive environmental remediation, and improved wide-ranging local infrastructures. The Goldenberg Group’s primary commitment remains positive transformation through its real estate and entrepreneurial activities, its community partnerships, and its on-the-ground charitable activities in the United States, Africa, and beyond. For more information, visit www.goldenberggroup.com.

About The People Helping People Foundation (PHP)

PHP is a private operating foundation (and the philanthropic arm of The Goldenberg Group) that runs monthly volunteer events, supports public education and partners with community groups to help improve neighborhoods and create positive change in the city of Philadelphia.  People Helping People also has extensive programs in Kenya and Ivory Coast to support education, health, microfinance and community building.  To learn more about The People Helping People Foundation, visit www.phpfound.org.

About Cradles to Crayons

Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12 living in homeless or low-income situations with the essential items they need to thrive – at home, at school and at play. We supply these items free of charge by engaging and connecting communities that have with communities that need. Cradles to Crayons collects new and gently-used children’s items through grassroots community drives and corporate donations. Donations are then sorted and checked by volunteers before being packed into custom packages for individual children, which are provided to children in need in the Greater Philadelphia region through a collaborative network of human service agencies and school partners. For other ways to engage or for details on how to drop off donations year-round, visitwww.cradlestocrayons.org.