The local chapter of The Pajama Program took part in the holiday activities at the Akron Urban League over the weekend. Patty Gillespie, president of the Eastern Ohio chapter, was joined by volunteers in distributing the many warm PJs and books to area children.
These donations were the culmination of the good will of many individuals, businesses and a $500 grant from the Millennium Fund for Children of Akron Community Foundation, a permanent endowment established in 1999 to celebrate the millennium by the Akron Beacon Journal and the foundation.
The donations go to area children in need. “There is nothing like seeing the happiness on their faces!” Gillespie exclaimed.
Both parents and children were drawn to the happy colors and soft cloth. Despite the music and activities at the center, the older kids gravitated toward the books. They often spent time considering the different titles before finding the best one to read during winter break.
The books are part of a two pronged approach to encourage literacy and reading skills. There are read-aloud books to be read at bedtime to the youngsters, and popular books to catch the interest of independent readers. Gillespie said that Harry Potter and the Twilight series are big hits.
Eastern Ohio Pajamas Program is part of a national program formed in New York city 10 years ago. The founder, Genevieve Piturro, saw children in shelters and group homes sleeping in their clothes and decided that something had to be done, especially when “The thermostat dips and the harsh winter months settle in.” Gillespie echoes her sentiments when she added, “Pajamas are a hug for children.”
The cold season is just beginning in earnest in Ohio. Although donations are welcome year round, there is still time to make a difference this year by donating new sleepwear and books to the pajama program. For details contact patty@pajama program.org or www.pajamaprogram.org and give a child the feeling of a warm hug and bedtime story.
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