Charles River Apparel (asi/44620) brought the holiday cheer in December.

Employees at the Top 40 supplier based in Sharon, MA, spent a day in downtown Boston sorting through and preparing tens of thousands of donated gifts for Christmas in the City’s annual toy mania event. The supplier also donated 3,600 pieces of its clothing items to the volunteer-run nonprofit.

Charles River Apparel employees volunteered their time to set up a holiday storefront for Boston nonprofit Christmas in the City.

For “Jake’s Toy Mania” event, volunteers set up a storefront – packed with toys, clothing and gifts sorted by age and type – that families in need could shop for free. Christmas in the City’s mission is to alleviate the impact of poverty and homelessness on Boston-area families. The 33-year-old organization lets parents select gifts – in addition to personal hygiene products, clothing and school supplies – for their children during the holidays.

The event, previously known as Monday Mania, was renamed this year in honor of Jake Kennedy, co-founder of Christmas in the City, who died in 2020 from ALS. Nearly 1,500 families came to the storefront in 2022.

Nearly 1,500 families were able to choose gifts – as well as essential items – for their children, thanks to Christmas in the City’s annual “toy mania” event.

Christmas in the City’s signature event – an all-out extravaganza for families currently in shelters – was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, so the organization instead partnered with congregate shelters to deliver gifts to nearly 2,000 children living in 38 shelters.

“The way people come together for Christmas in the City events each year is truly inspiring,” said Jason Lipsett, marketing director for Charles River Apparel. “Our crew is grateful to have the opportunity to support their efforts and help make the holiday season a more joyous one.”

In addition to volunteering their time and donating Charles River products to the nonprofit, the supplier also made a monetary donation to help support Christmas in the City’s efforts.

“For years, Charles River has donated both time and clothing to Christmas in the City, and we’re proud to call them our neighbors,” said Zack Kennedy, leader and volunteer for the nonprofit.

With 2021 North American promotional products revenue of $42 million, Charles River ranked 38th on Counselor’s most-recent list of the largest suppliers in the industry. The supplier participates in a number of charitable initiatives throughout the year; for instance, in September, employees assembled school kits for a Boston-based charity that ensures low-income students have supplies for the start of the school year.