Valentine’s Day Marks First Annual Pajama Program
By
Richard Johnston
MOUNT OLIVE (1/29/08) When ever there’s a good
cause and a need for help one can almost name the people
in town who will be involved….Colleen Labow, Flora
Salierno, Dr. Brenda Rooney, Kevin Ebner, Laura Bartus,
Jenn Cranmer, Jill Daggon, Liz Meininger, Frank Wilpert,
and Sherry Lema. There are others and apologies to
anyone who wasn’t named here. It’s a drive for pajamas
for children in need of them.
Councilwoman Labow gives all the credit for the idea to
start a chapter here to her friend, Flora Salierno who
contacted her a couple of weeks ago asking her to help
start an annual pajama drive here in conjunction with
the national Pajama Program’s “Open Your Heart Campaign”
which is run each year around Valentine’s Day. It will
run this year from February 11th thru the 16th.
“We
set our goal to collect 2,148 pairs of pajamas,” said
Labow. “The number represents the day and year 2.14.8.
Next year the goal will be 2.14.9.”
The
national group, founded by Genevieve Piturro and Alice
Pagano in New York
in 2001
and, has gotten national attention. Originally the group
called for books and pajamas. However, when a
presentation about it went on the Oprah Winfrey show the
response was overwhelming and they received so many
books they’re not asking for them any more. This week
Ms. Piturro was on ABC News…and that presentation also
has brought an overwhelming response. The link to see
that interview is
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=4193711&affil=wabc
.
The
national program had the complete support of New York
City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the national advisory
board is made up of some 25 prominent people from all
walks of life.
The
organization’s mission detailed on its web site says it“
provides a loving environment for children who have
lived through a great deal of hurt in their young lives
to give them hope for a better tomorrow…”
The
group is in need of pajama sizes 8 thru adult size 2XL.
The pajamas are given to children in need ages newborn
to 17. Colleen emphasizes while all sizes are needed
there is a greater need for the older children’s sizes.
“It’s difficult to imagine how just a snuggly pair of
pajamas can make a difference in a child’s life,” she
said, “but it does.”
She
also suggested that residents can help by e-mailing
their friends about the program including the
information in this press release.
The
pajamas may be dropped off at the following locations or
by calling either Colleen (973)347-4901 or Flora (973)
479-7877. The drop off locations are:
