May Day? What's May Day?

Spreading Springtime Joy: May Day Baskets for Shelter Pets
An old tradition gets a furry, feel-good twist!

May 1st has long been known as the turning point from rainy days to blooming flowers—and centuries ago, people in Europe turned that into a reason to celebrate with May Day! This charming tradition eventually made its way to parts of the U.S., where folks would gather flowers, candy, and other sweet treats to assemble into festive May Day Baskets.

Traditionally, these baskets were secretly hung on someone’s door to express romantic interest—if you got caught delivering one, you might even get chased down for a kiss! Nowadays, most Americans have never even heard of May Day, but we think it’s the perfect excuse to welcome spring with joy, positivity, and a little surprise.

A Childhood Favorite, Reimagined

Growing up in Iowa, our owners, Andy and AdreAnne, have fond memories of May Day fun—their baskets may have just been Solo cups with pipe cleaner handles, but it was the spirit of giving (and sprinting away from the front porch!) that made it magical.

So, when they brought the idea to the team here at Two Bostons...they were shocked at all the blank stares. Turns out, May Day isn’t exactly a Chicago tradition—but they had to bring it back, and with a Two Bostons twist.

From Porch Surprises to Shelter Smiles

This year, 4/22 - 5/20, we invite our customers to donate $4.99 toward a May Day Basket for a local shelter pet. For every donation, Two Bostons doubles it—turning your generosity into a $10 basket packed with tasty treats, chews, and fun surprises.

Our team will then hit the road to deliver these baskets to shelter pets across the Chicagoland suburbs. And yes, we'll capture it all on camera—because not only do we want to spread joy, we also want to help these deserving animals find their forever homes by sharing their stories on social media.

Why We Do It

At Two Bostons, sharing the love is part of who we are—especially when it comes to helping animals and the people who love them. May Day is the perfect opportunity to blend tradition with impact, and we’re thrilled to share the results:

✨ In 2023, we raised $13,520
🌟 In 2024, we surpassed that with $15,240 raised for shelter pets!
🌟 Our 2025 goal is $17,000 raised!

2025 Shelter Partners

A huge thank-you to our amazing rescue partners who help make this possible:

• Wheaton – ARF

• Springbrook – Naperville Area Humane Society (NAHS)

• Downtown Naperville – A.D.O.P.T.

• Geneva – Starfish Animal Rescue

• Glen Ellyn – Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue & St. Sophia’s Forgotten Felines

• Burr Ridge – Hinsdale Humane Society

• Market Meadows – Aurora Animal Control

🌸 Thank you for helping us keep this beautiful tradition alive—and for making a difference in the lives of shelter pets across our community. Stay tuned as we share photos and stories from the pets you helped support!

Ready to help again or learn about future giving opportunities? Visit twobostons.com/donate