Gordon Philanthropies and The Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club celebrate their partnership with a special crayon-themed reading event based on Drew Daywalt’s beloved book, The Day Crayons the Quit.

Established in 1944, the Los Angeles Boys and Girls Club has existed for 75 years marking an impressive feat. With its 33,000-square-foot facility with a gymnasium, a swimming pool, and an athletic field the club has been a safe space for members of the local community. The club serves the Northeast Los Angeles community. For folks unfamiliar with this side of Los Angeles, it includes Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, and East Los Angeles, to name a few.

Serving over 700 students, from grades K-12^th, students are given the opportunity to participate in outdoor and indoor activities, classes, and programs year-round. In addition to providing a safe place for children to learn and play, the club has been a cornerstone for the community for over seven decades serving as a food bank for families in need.

The students excitedly welcomed Gordon Philanthropies Communities That Read Together, Grow Together reading program, receiving a copy of Drew Daywalt’s, The Day the Crayons Quit. Followed by an art activity, the students enjoyed a reading of the books conducted by volunteers making the children burst in laughter as they dressed up like crayons.

Gordon Philanthropies has donated 650 books to the children from the club and hopes that students reading enthusiasm continues to grow as they progress to the next school grade. Education Director Maria Myrick and her staff worked together to chose books of interest to the students. Selecting books that are of high interest is particularly valuable for Gordon Philanthropies as they aim to strengthen partnerships through collaborative efforts that keep students best interest in mind.

Executive Director Sylvia Beanes shared, “Thank you to the executive leadership and staff who helped make the event a success and to the students, who, with their amazing smiles and gigantic hearts, are a testament to how smart, kind, and amazing our little people are.”

Gordon Philanthropies feels honored to work with the Los Angeles Boys & Girls Club and is committed to bringing support to communities that are in need of additional level of educational support and resources.