Sipping into Spring 2024 - Pajama Program

Pajama Program’s Annual Sipping into Spring cocktail party event celebrates impact, honors champions of change, and raises essential funds to support its mission and programs. This year’s event is inspired by the classic children’s book The Hungry Caterpillar. Guests are invited to support Pajama Program’s continued transformation as an organization!

At the event, Billy DiMichele, longtime supporter of Pajama Program and SVP, Corporate Social Responsibility at Scholastic, will be honored for his contributions to the mission.

Past honorees include Carla Hall (TV personality and celebrity chef), R.L. Stine (author of Goosebumps series), Meredith Vieira, Dylan Lauren, Soledad O’Brien, Patti LaBelle, Ellen Burstyn, Elizabeth Vargas, Marcia Gay Harden, Al Roker, Susan Lucci, Rosalie Rock (Chris Rock’s mother), Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC), Paula Zahn, Rosie Perez, Lee Haber (Editor of O Magazine), and more.

PURCHASE TICKETS

PURCHASE JOURNAL ADS/ RAFFLE TICKETS

Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at 5:30PM

Clifford’s Rooftop Terrace at Scholastic

ATTIRE: COCKTAIL

Pajama Program’s Annual Sipping into Spring cocktail party event celebrates impact, honors champions of change, and raises essential funds to support its mission and programs. Guests are invited to support Pajama Program’s continued transformation as an organization.

The event will be attended by influential supporters representing a wide variety of industries and communities. Prominent philanthropists, corporate leaders, entrepreneurs, and young professionals are expected to attend this special evening.

If you can’t attend but want to contribute to the event and Pajama Program, a gift of any size can support our work.

DONATE TO THE EVENT HERE

Billy DiMichele

SVP, Creative Development & Corporate Social Responsibility, Scholastic, Inc

In his 27 years at Scholastic, Billy has produced hundreds of the company’s multi-media events and videos and has overseen numerous large-scale creative/marketing initiatives. As a producer, his career highlights include Harry Potter Place, a live, interactive outdoor experience on the streets of NYC attended by more than 20,000 people for the launches of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007); An Evening with Harry, Carrie & Garp, a literacy event and fundraiser with J.K. Rowling, Stephen King, and John Irving at Radio City Music Hall; the Open Book Tour, J.K. Rowling’s final U.S. Harry Potter book tour; Harry Potter & the Cursed Child Muggle Mob – a flash mob event outside Scholastic’s NYC world headquarters to celebrate the launch of the book; as well as 26 consecutive Scholastic Art & Writing Awards National Ceremonies, celebrating the nation’s most creative teenagers, at The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and Carnegie Hall in NYC.

In 2008, Billy launched a series of live and pre-recorded educational webcasts in schools nationwide and w. To date, more than 150 million students and teachers have tuned in to virtually visit iconic landmarks, explore history and science, better understand the nuances of mathematics, and listen to literary and music icons like J.K. Rowling, David Baldacci, Taylor Swift, and Usher discuss books, reading, and writing.
More recently, he has focused on growing Scholastic’s Corporate Social Responsibility profile by forging strategic partnerships with organizations like Save the Children, Crystal Bridges Museum, PEN America, and The Kelly Clarkson Show. Billy is the recipient of multiple Webby and Telly Awards a 2002 Emmy Award.

Healthy sleep is crucial for the development of young brains and bodies, significantly impacting the overall health and well-being of our children. Children and families experiencing poverty are disproportionately less likely to have access to the resources and tools that promote healthy sleep. Imagine trying to put children to sleep in a shelter, or as a single parent struggling to make ends meet and working a late shift. Addressing this imbalance is not just about promoting sleep – it’s about ensuring that all children have the same rights and opportunities to grow, develop, and thrive academically, physically, and emotionally.

Pajama Program provides new pajamas, storybooks, and teddy bear tools for a comforting bedtime routine for children. Pajama Program also offers educational programs and workshops for children and the influential adults in their lives (parents, caregivers, educators, family specialists, and foster care workers) that promote actionable strategies for all families, regardless of their circumstances.

The result of Pajama Program’s work? Kids sleep an average of 30 minutes longer each night. Since 2001, through a national network of volunteers, generous donors, and partnerships with over 4,000 community-based organizations, we’ve delivered over 8 million new pajamas and books to children in shelters, community centers, and classrooms nationwide. Additionally, thousands of children and families benefit from our community-based programs in the New York City, Atlanta, and metro-Detroit area.

Pajama Program is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to promote equitable access to healthy sleep so all children can thrive.