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Charles River Plans Pop-Up for Charity

Top 40 supplier Charles River Apparel (asi/44620) is launching a pop-up store on Dec. 3 – also known as GivingTuesday – in support of Christmas in the City, a nonprofit dedicated to helping relieve the impact of homelessness and poverty on Boston-area children and their families.

The pop-up, located at 1245 Providence Highway in Sharon, MA, will be active for three days – Dec. 3, 6 and 7. Organizers said that 50% of all sales will be donated directly to Christmas in the City.

“We’re excited to open our doors and meet our customers while doing something good for the community,” said Tracy Lehnen, vice president of marketing at Charles River. “Christmas in the City is an organization our employees look forward to supporting each year, and we’re delighted to help expand their reach and donate even more this year.”

The pop-up kicks off with a toy drive. The first 50 customers who bring in an unwrapped toy will receive a commemorative Christmas in the City sweatshirt. On Dec. 6, from noon to 6 p.m., Charles River will offer gingerbread treats. The pop-up will conclude Dec. 7 with food trucks and other activities.

GivingTuesday was started in 2012 as a way to encourage charitable giving during the unofficial shopping holidays that follow Thanksgiving. Other promo firms have also announced giving initiatives to coincide with the date.

With reported 2018 North American promotional product revenue of $47 million, Charles River Apparel ranks 37th on Counselor’s latest list of the largest suppliers in the industry. The company’s five-year average annual growth rate is 7%.