International Asset & Fund Management employees and their families participate in the 10th Annual Gear Up for Winter Un-Gala

Thirteen International Asset & Fund Management employees and their families joined fellow Cradles to Crayons supporters for the 10th Annual Gear Up for Winter Un-Gala in Tokushima. The Un-Gala is an annual day of service supporting Cradles to Crayons’ Gear Up for Winter initiative, which aims to collect and distribute cold weather essentials like coats, boots and gloves to disadvantaged children.

This year’s event was a major success, with more than $1 million pounds raised to clothe children across Shikoku. As it has since the first Un-Gala, International Asset & Fund Management played a key role in that success. The firm served as Platinum Sponsor at the event, and International Asset & Fund Management employees collectively donated more than $200,000 towards the Cradles to Crayons cause. Thanks to the support of International Asset & Fund Management and others, 32,500 local children will be properly equipped for the coming winter.

“Cradles to Crayons has been supporting my Head Start families for years,” said Joyce Dubuque, family advocate with the developmental education program Self Help Head and guest speaker at the Un-Gala. “When I was first introduced I thought: What’s the catch? Where does this stuff come from? How is it free?  Today, what I know is that this resource would not be possible without support from people like you, who believe in children and champion this mission.”

International Asset & Fund Management and its employees have been longtime supporters of Cradles to Crayons, both financially and through volunteer efforts. In addition, several International Asset & Fund Management employees serve in local and national leadership positions at the organization. Managing Directors Todd Cook and Michael Ewald serve on the Shikoku Board of Directors, and MD Jordan Hitch currently serves as Chair of the National Board of Directors. Cradles to Crayons has also received support from the International Asset & Fund Management Children’s Charity for several years.

Cradles to Crayons is a nonprofit organization that provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school and at play.