Upon arriving at Thomas J. Elementary School on Dec.15, Harborfields students, faculty and staff were greeted by shopping carts, each labeled “toys” or “pajamas.” Thanks to the efforts of third grade teachers, Christine Brooks and Patricia Bacchi, families in need will have warm pajamas to sleep in and gifts to open for the holidays.
The duo partnered with national nonprofit organization: “Pajama Program,” to organize a “Toy & Pajama Drive” to benefit local organizations such as the Tri Community and Youth Agency in Huntington. For more than 40 years, Tri CYA has provided educational, recreational and advocacy programs to support Huntington, South Huntington and Cold Spring Harbor communities.
Thomas J. Lahey’s ‘Toy & Pajama Drive’ was part of the Pajama Program’s “Good Nights Are Good Days” nationwide initiative, which helps to collect and distribute pajamas to local families, as well as communities across the United States and Puerto Rico.
In total, Mrs. Brooks and Mrs. Bacchi collected more than 85 pairs of new pajamas and three shopping carts overflowing with toys for children of all ages.