Celebrating the Holiday Season with Purpose

Cross River’s approach to giving and our dedication to community are direct manifestations of our core values, which continue to serve as our north star. Humility, compassion, and responsibility speak directly to the heart of Foundation@ Cross River, which is empowered by every Cross River employee and fueled by our commitment to #doMOREgood. In this spirit, we recently expressed our collective holiday spirit, renewing Cross River’s relationship with two communal partners focused on serving the underserved: Sharing the Warmth and Knock Knock Give a Sock.

For the sixth year in a row, Cross River employee volunteers packaged and donated gloves, scarves, and hats to the hundreds of students at the Chancellor Avenue School in Newark, N.J. First launched by our Project Management Office’s Krystal Lorenzo, whose sister, Victoria Henao, is on staff at the school, Sharing the Warmth has become an annual staple in the company’s volunteerism calendar. Once again, our first floor converted into a holiday workshop, with employees across the company joining together to help out.

Additional employees delivered and distributed the packages the next day, handing them out student by student, smile by smile. As many families whose children attend the school are in need of additional assistance, the annual donation is not only appreciated but depended upon. Extra winter gear remains with the school after the distribution in the event replacements or additional goods are needed at a later time.

Just two days later, the Knock Knock Give a Sock (KKGAS)Annual Holiday Carnival drew hundreds of families from local shelters, including many new migrants celebrating their first holiday season in New YorkCity. Held again at the PS/MS 188 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, children of all ages enjoyed giveaways, toys, snacks, and free lunch – all provided by the organization and facilitated by its army of volunteers, including our ownCross River colleagues.

Founder of KKGAS Adina Lichtman recently spoke to employees a tour headquarters, where she mentioned that for many of the families who attend the carnival, this is their only holiday celebration and the only gift which many of the children will receive comes straight from the carnival.

Adina thanked Cross River, its employees and Foundation@, for the overall support we provide as well as for our willingness to have an open and informative conversation about people who are unhoused. Inspired by this conversation, and by learning what we can each do to support this community, attendees immediately signed up to serve as new volunteers for the annual carnival event. For the second year in a row, Cross River was well represented at the carnival, from making popcorn to serving lunch to the hundreds of attendees.

At Cross River we take our commitment to impactful philanthropy to heart. These efforts are not only life-changing for the communities we serve but for our employees who take their own time to volunteer. We were founded on the pillars of community and giving, and together, we are creating opportunities to shape a better tomorrow.