PAJAMA PROGRAM REACHES THE
ONE MILLION MARK
AS IT CELEBRATES A DECADE
OF GIVING
“Call to Action” to the Nation’s Children to
Pay It Forward by
Holding Pajama Drives, Fundraising Events,
and Bowl-a-Ramas for “Danger Season”
Suze Orman noted in her best-selling book The Money
Class, “A friend recently made her five-year-old’s birthday party into a
pajama party, asking children to come in their PJs and to bring a new set of
pajamas instead of a gift. The pajamas were donated to the Pajama Program, a
charity that gives new pajamas and books to children in need in the U.S. I
thought this was a great idea that created a real opportunity to teach small
children about our obligation to help those less fortunate.”
Orman’s not
the only one who thinks paying it forward is a great idea. Celebrating a decade of giving, Pajama Program is
issuing a Call To Action to the nation’s children to pay
it forward by holding Pajama Drives and Fundraising Events to help the
non-profit reach its goal of serving 500,000
less fortunate children by year-end.
This year a milestone was reached when the Pajama Program reached the one
million mark. The non-profit has given
one million new pajamas and books to children in need across the country,
helping them feel a little less lost and alone. And Pajama Program has inspired thousands of volunteers of all ages nationwide and by
celebrities ranging from Oprah Winfrey to Meredith Vieira, the non-profit has
In schools and communities
nationwide, it is often children who have never experienced loss or desperate
need who work the hardest to gather as many donations as possible to help bring
a smile and some comfort to their less fortunate peers. The Pajama Program’s
Call To Action for “Danger Season” has the potential to make a difference in
the lives of all the children it touches.
Pajama Program’s mission
becomes more urgent during the period it identifies as “Danger Season” when the thermostat dips and the harsh winter months settle in.
Starting October 1, Pajama Program works hard to heighten the public’s
awareness of the need to keep these at risk children in warm, clean nighttime
clothing and with a bedtime book to allay their fears.
To raise
awareness of “Danger Season,” the non-profit is having its first-ever “Bowl-a-Ramas
for Pajamas” in bowling alleys nationwide on October 1st, asking families and
fans of the popular American pastime to hold bowling parties to help collect
new PJ’s and new books for children in need. The goal is to help keep at least 50,000
children warm and comforted at bedtime. http://www.pajamaprogram.org/bowling.html
Today the Pajama Program operates 79 chapters in 42 states and
provides new pajamas and new books to children waiting and hoping to be adopted
while living in group homes, shelters and temporary facilities. These children
have been through great upheaval and trauma, without exception. Some of the
children are living with their families below the poverty level, in desperate
need of food, clothing and shelter. Too many have never enjoyed the simple
comfort of having a parent tuck them in at bedtime with warm, clean pajamas and
a bedtime story.
“I couldn't believe what the
staff at some of the shelters I visited 10 years ago told me about the children
who were brought to them every day and every night. The stories of abuse and
neglect were horrifying and heart breaking. I couldn't change what had happened
to these children but at least I could give them a pair of warm, clean pajamas
to get them through the night,” explains Pajama Program
founder Genevieve Piturro.
The books the children read at bedtime go a long way in improving
their reading level as well. Most have been removed from school for long
periods of time and do not have access to books and their grade reading level
is far lower than their peers.
Chapter Presidents
across the U.S. identify
“Receiving Organizations” in their communities where children in need are
living. Together with volunteers, they organize drives and events to provide
these youngsters with new pajamas and books. There
are more than 500,000 children in the foster care system in the U.S. and more
than one million children who are not living with their birth parents. Many
children who do have families are living below the poverty level, in desperate
need of food, clothing and shelter.
The
popular children’s musical artist Laurie Berkner wrote a song titled “Open Your
Heart” dedicated to The Pajama Program, and continues to perform it in all of
her concerts. The song has increased awareness of the non-profit among children
and inspired them to get involved nationwide.
In
celebration of Pajama Program’s 10th
Birthday, Scholastic Book Clubs is issuing their third national “call for
pajamas” and asking classrooms across the country to participate in their
annual Pajama
Drive. Scholastic Book Clubs will match every pair of pajamas
donated with a book for a bedtime story and will donate a total of 100,000
books in support of the Pajama Program’s 10th Anniversary. Last year
Scholastic classrooms collected 90,000+ new pajamas.
Carter’s pajama manufacturer is also a major sponsor for
Pajama Program’s 2011/2012 “Danger
Season” and Sprout,
the 24-hour preschool television channel, is the Pajama Program’s national
media partner for “The Great Sprout Tuck-In,” a pro-social initiative that
extends Sprout’s “good night” mission and encourages families to share in the
spirit of giving.
The Pajama Program meets
the Better Business Bureau's 20 charity standards, the highest ranking for
non-profits. For more
information visit the website: www.pajamaprogram.org
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