PJs for Charity Event in Five Lakeland Schools

All five Lakeland elementary schools will join together on Friday, Jan. 7 in a charity event that will see all five elementary schools united via videoconferencing while collecting new pajamas and books for needy children. The program will run from 6:30-8:30 pm.

The Lakeland School District elementary schools are partnering with the Westchester Chapter of The Pajama Program. The Pajama Program is a not-for-profit organization that provides new pajamas and books to needy children in the greater Westchester area.

Everyone who attends is being asked to wear pajamas in addition to bringing new pajamas and books for needy children. All five buildings will join together to listen to local author Marisabina Russo read to the children to start the evening. Each building will hold unique activities which include staff and parent volunteers reading to children, arts and crafts activities and/or music to end the evening.

The event began several years ago at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School and is expanding this year to include Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Lincoln-Titus and Van Cortlandtville Elementary Schools. The program has been a valuable experience for the children who have learned the benefits of charity. There are collection boxes for both PJ's and books in the main lobby of Thomas Jefferson ES through Jan. 21, 2011 for anyone who can not attend on the 7th.

For more information, contact Karen Gagliardi, principal of Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, 914 245-4802.