Burnet Hill’s Pajama Day Gives PJs To The Needy

Burnet Hill Elementary was anything but sleepy as the school held its second annual Pajama Day.   The student body and faculty wore pajamas and brought new pairs of pjs and books to support the Pajama Program (www.pajamaprogram.org), a non-profit group which distributes those items to the needy.

First Grade teacher and student council advisor Wendy Weiner got the idea after watching a film clip about the program on the NBC show, The Morning Show, “It broke my heart to see kids who didn’t have pajamas to warm them at night.  And the literacy component is so important.  Kids need to be read to. Literacy is what our schools are all about." 

The event had been heavily promoted at Burnet Hill with fourth grade students writing a jingle about Pajama Day.  Despite frigid December temperatures, the students stood outside at drop off several times a week singing about the upcoming event. 

“It’s so much fun and for such a good cause,” explained fifth grader Izabella Zegers who had jumped out of bed that morning to don a special pair of pajamass just for the event.  Her friend, Lauren Hirschmann, took a different approach, wearing the pajamas she’d slept in the previous night.  Students even wore their night garb, under jackets and sweaters, when they went to recess.

Principal Lisa Capone-Steiger explained, “This program definitely has a lasting effect on the students.  We talk about it all year.  Last year, we didn’t collect books, just pajamas.  After seeing a film on the Pajama Program, the kids insisted that we collect books as well as pajamass this year.” 

During an assembly as kindergarteners cuddled up to their fifth grade buddies, the kids again learned about the impact their contributions would make to so many children who go to bed cold and without hearing a bedtime story.  Most of the children who will benefit from Burnet Hill’s donation are those in shelters, orphanages, and group home.  Many have been abused.  “For so many needy and abused children, winter means endless cold and scary nights,” explained Pajama Program founder Genevieve Piturro. “The winter season is a particularly critical time when these children are most vulnerable to serious colds and illnesses. Warm, clean pajamas help to protect them against night chills and harmful conditions. Emotionally pajamas are a hug for children who feel lost and alone.”

The elementary school collected 191 pairs of pajamas last year with high hopes that they’ll surpass that total this year.   Parent Kelly Selikoff was proud of daughters Emily and Abigail who enthusiastically donned their pjs before heading off to school.  “It’s fun and it’s for such a great cause!  It really gives the kids the sense that they can help those less fortunate.” 

Wendy Weiner said, “It’s my dream to have this celebrated on the same day by every school in the district.  That would be so awesome and would have an even greater impact on our kids and those in need.”