ITEM PHOTO BY OWEN O’ROURKE
From left, Anna Nazarenko, Mary Alice Brennan and Ryan Henry of Swampscott Middle School are collecting clothing for Cradles to Crayons.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
SWAMPSCOTT — A pair of students at Swampscott Middle School are hoping to give less-fortunate children a hand — and a jacket.
Ryan Henry of Nahant and Anna Nazarenko of Swampscott are collecting clothing for Cradles to Crayons as part of their participation in Project 351, a nonprofit dedicated to building unity and leadership through the yearlong engagement and enrichment of an eighth grade service ambassador from each of the state’s 351 cities and towns.
The youth-centered service organization was initiated by then-Governor Deval Patrick in 2011. The nonprofit is devoted to nurturing and celebrating eighth graders from across the Commonwealth through yearlong service projects.
Earlier this year, Henry helped paint the walls of Clarence R. Edwards Middle School in Charlestown.
The students put together packs of clothing, personal hygiene items, and small gifts for Cradles to Crayons in January, Nazarenko said. She also visited the headquarters to learn more about the roots of the nonprofit.
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, according to the organization’s website. Collections and community drives are held for new and gently-used clothing and shoes. The items are packaged by the state and distributed across the state.
“It was inspiring to see,” she said. “They said the total of kids we helped was close to 10,000.”
For their current project, they’re collecting only clothing and shoes. Dozens of brown paper bags line the hall, separated by grade and team. The school added the extra incentive of offering a prize to the team who collects the most items.
Collection boxes are also available in Henry’s hometown of Nahant at the Johnson Elementary School, post office and at Equitable Bank on Nahant Road. Henry said he hopes to fill 50 bags by April 5.
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.