Pajama DriveThis is the time of year where we pause, take a moment, and look back on the things we have accomplished throughout the past year.  Hopefully on this long list we find an action or a moment that involves making life better for others. For the 2ndgraders at Explorer Elementary that moment will be participating in Scholastic Book’s 10thAnnual Great Bedtime Story- Pajama Drive.  

According to the Scholastic Books website, “The Annual Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive was a huge success this year, with more than 90,000 pairs of pajamas donated from classrooms all around the country.”  Sixty-twoof which were collected by Explorer’s 2ndgraders.

The pajama drive is an amazing program because of the fact that Scholastic donates one book for each and every pair of pajamas donated.  Since 2009, Scholastic Reading Club classrooms nationwide have collected and donated nearly 500,000 pairs of pajamas.  That is half a million children from ages birth to 18 years of age that have been provided a new, clean pair of pajamas and a book when they may have needed comfort the most.  Additionally, the program is even more special is the fact that the pajama and book donations stay in our community.  We may even request where our school’s pajamas and books are sent.  This year the Children's Inn and Children's Home Society received our donations.  We could not be any prouder.  One student even said, “I like doing this.  It makes me feel happy to make someone else feel happy.”  Another child, after learning what the Children’s Inn and Home Society was and what they do for children said, “That he feels really bad that these kids don’t have much and that we should keep doing the drive all year.

What a fabulous lesson to learn.  Especially at this time of year.  Especially when most children right now are focused on only what THEY WANT. It is good to see a child step back and learn how to give.  Seeing a child grasp the idea that they take a lot of things in their lives for granted and that they can make a difference at such a young age can make you believe in all the good the world has to offer. 

It sounds like such a simple thing doesn’t it…a pair of pajamas and a book…but to the children that receive these donations it may be the only thing that gives them a little bit of comfort in their moment of crisis.    

The Children’s Inn and Home Society is always accepting of donations. Please see their website or contact them if you are interested in helping the children in their care.