Partnership Brings Repurposed Crayons to Head Start Classrooms Nationwide

    WASHINGTON, DC, March 29, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Crayon Collection, a national initiative that collects millions of repurposed crayons from restaurants across the country each year, and the National Head Start Association (NHSA) have formed a partnership that will bring crayons into thousands of Head Start classrooms.

The announcement comes as the NHSA opens its 42nd annual conference and expo in Washington, D.C., and we look forward to National Crayon Day on March 31 (For fun Crayon Factoids, see attached document).

Founded in 2011 by philanthropist and southern California mom, Sheila Michail Morovati, the Crayon Collection's mission is simple: To collect as many crayons as possible and donate them to kids in need. Billions of crayons are produced in the U.S. each year and many of them end up in landfills, taking years to decompose. Meanwhile, teachers in public schools spend an average of $750 of their own money for classroom supplies each year. Partnering with popular restaurant chains - including California Pizza Kitchen, Islands Fine Burgers & Drinks and other national chains to be announced soon - the Crayon Collection collects millions of crayons and redistributes them to schools in low-income neighborhoods.

The NHSA - a non-partisan, not-for-profit organization committed to the belief that every child, regardless of circumstances at birth, has the ability to succeed in life - is the voice for more than 1 million children, 200,000 staff and 1,600 Head Start grantees in the U.S.

Commented NHSA Executive Director Yasmina Vinci, "Restaurants throw away millions of crayons each year. NHSA and the Crayon Collection will help keep crayons out of landfills and put them in the hands of vulnerable children. This partnership is a great example of how Head Start works innovatively to engage with businesses in local communities."

Said Morovati, founder and chairman of the board of the Crayon Collection, "We are thrilled to partner with the National Head Start Association to expand the Crayon Collection's reach to our nation's youngest, most at-risk, early learners, while helping the environment. No child should have to attend school without the most basic of supplies."

If you'd like to learn more about the Crayon Collection or donate crayons from your restaurant, visit us online at: http://www.CrayonCollection.org

Visit the National Head Start Association at: http://www.NHSA.org

About the Crayon Collection:
Founded in in 2011 by southern California mom, Sheila Michail Morovati - and with the support of dedicated, high-profile board members like Jessica Capshaw (Grey's Anatomy) - the Crayon Collection's mission is simple: To collect as many crayons as possible and donate them to kids in need. Billions of crayons (which are petroleum based) are produced in the U.S. each year and much of that ends up in our landfills, taking years (even decades) to decompose. Meanwhile, teachers in underfunded public schools spend an average of $750 of their own income for classroom supplies each year. Partnering with popular restaurant chains, including California Pizza Kitchen and Islands, the non-profit collects millions of gently used crayons each year and redistributes them locally, in communities across the country, to low-income, Head Start and Title 1 schools. It's good for the kids, teachers and environment ... and it's just the right thing to do!

Contacts:

National Head Start Association
Sally Aman -- 202.262.8003 -- [email protected]

Crayon Collection / Social Change PR & Marketing
Vicki Greenleaf -- 323.660.5800 -- [email protected]
Dorrit Ragosine -- 213.509.7748 -- [email protected]

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