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WHY PAJAMAS AND BOOKS MAKE SUCH AN IMPACT
Please extend our thanks to all the people who raise money for the Pajama Program and purchase those pajamas for us. When that shattered family arrives at Mutual Ground with just the clothes on their backs, it is really nice to be able to give the kids a pair of pajamas–that is new and special for them.We keep thinking that one of these days we can shut down and go out of business–but that just doesn’t seem to happen. So you and I have to keep doing what we’re doing.
Judy Jacobson
Mutual Ground, IL
We have had parents cry with gratitude, children light up (one little boy said “Wow mom, I have my very own pair of pajamas, now I don’t have to sleep in by undies” ). We have parents tell us that the book was the only one the child owned as that is the last thing on their priority list due to finances.
Carla Miller, Family Resource Coordinator
North Iowa Community Action Organization, Mason City, IA
BronxWorks has three family shelters that provide educational and recreational activities. Two of them, the Jackson Avenue Residence and the Nelson Avenue Residence, secured books for school aged youth as a result of the last round of book donations. The social service and recreation coordinators tell me that the books have helped youngsters who want to read but have families who cannot afford books…In all, your donations have given us the capacity to make a difference in the lives of about 300 young people. The joys they will derive from reading will be part of their memories forever.
Ken Small, Development Director
Bronxworks, Bronx, NY
Thank you so very much for your kind and generous donation to the children at our shelter. Indeed you have delivered many smiles to hopeless children. We passed out the books and pajamas to the children housed at our homeless shelter and you would have thought that we gave the children a pot of gold. They felt special just to be able to have something to call their own. One boy in particular wanted to know where he was going… he thought he was dressed up and was surprised the he had an outfit to wear to bed. We could not get him away from the mirror. We had to read to him several times before he fell asleep and we could pry the book from his hands. You will never know the difference you have made in so many lives. Having their very own book has caused those who can read to want to read more, and those who cannot yet read have developed a desire to learn to read (right now they are memorizing as books are read to them…. they can sure tell if you skip a pafe.) Bless you for caring and sharing!
Maureen Cadogan, Executive Director
Operation Safety Net, Portsmouth, OH
Your Pajama Program insures our children at Angelheart Children’s Shelter sleep in fresh, new pajamas. This is extremely important to our kids who have suffered abuse and neglect. Many of these kids arrive with only the clothing they wear, so a new pair of pj’s symbolizes their “fresh start” on their road to healing.
Susan Lindsey-Rice
Angelheart Children’s Shelter, TX