Traditionally, bedtime revolves around a special routine for children, filled with soft, cozy pajamas and comforting stories read by a loving parent. But for many children—especially those living in unstable environments—such an ideal tradition isn’t necessarily a reality.
The nonprofit Pajama Program collects and distributes new pajamas and books to children in need. Since its beginnings in 2001, the Pajama Program has given more than 21,000 pairs of pajamas and 110,000 books to children throughout the United States, according to pajamaprogram.org.
And now the Central Coast has its very own chapter of the Pajama Program. Chapter president Tricia Drylie said she’s currently looking for donations, as well as organizations to help hand out the pajamas.
A mother of three children, Drylie said she decided to get involved with the Pajama Program because she believes bedtime should be “a safe, cozy way to end the day” for all children.
“A lot of kids living in foster care or at shelters maybe just have the clothes on their backs,” she said.
New pajamas and books of their very own, she said, might “give them more of a comforting feeling. Like a little hug at night.”
Drylie added that donating pajamas and books through the program can be an enjoyable service project for people of all ages. She recommended that parents take their children shopping to pick out donations. For adults, she said one fun way to donate is to organize a “Girls’ Night In” party, for which admittance could be a pair of pajamas or a book per person.
The new chapter is also interested in setting up large-scale fundraisers through businesses, schools, and other nonprofits.
For more information about the Pajama Program or to make a donation, call Drylie at 922-9193 or e-mail her at tricia@pajamaprogram.org.
Staff Writer Amy Asman compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send items for consideration to aasman@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jan 15-22, 2009.