Lydia Becker and Claire Blaney, 7th grade students at Immanuel Lutheran in Valparaiso, IN, collected over 245 pairs of pajamas to benefit children through a fundraiser for the Pajama Program.
The two seventh graders set a goal of collecting 100 pairs. The pajama drive ran throughout the month of January. When they surpassed their goal, they invited the entire school to wear pajamas on Friday, January 29, to celebrate the enormous success.
A service project at Immanuel school inspired Blaney and Becker to start the fundraiser. Claire Blaney noticed that she could donate old clothing whenever she went through her closet, but her pajamas were always too well used. She wondered if pajamas were an overlooked item in foster homes and shelters. Claire Blaney and Lydia Becker did a little research. They found the pajama program and wanted to help make sure kids had comfortable clothes for sleeping.
Pajama Program will distribute the pajamas in Indiana. Pajama Program is a national nonprofit organization that promotes and supports a comforting bedtime routine and healthy sleep for children to help them thrive. Since 2001, Pajama Program has delivered over 7 million "good nights for good days" to children facing adversity by providing new pajamas, storybooks, and resources for caregivers.
Well done, Claire and Lydia!