EASTERN Faculty, Staff Hold Collection to Benefit the Pajama Program

The Eastern Center for Arts and Technology (EASTERN) faculty and staff members held a pajama and book drive throughout the month of December to benefit the Pajama Program. They collected 28 pairs of pajamas and
16 books to benefit those in need during the cold winter season.

The Pajama Program collection has been a holiday tradition at EASTERN for many years, beginning with the efforts of Ellen Ainge, who retired in 2010. Since Ainge retired, she has continued to assist EASTERN with the
pajama and book drive.

The Pajama Program, a 501(c)(3) organization, provides comfort and love in the way of new pajamas and new books to children in need, many waiting and hoping to be adopted. Snuggling up in new, warm pajamas with their very own book to read gives lonely children a secure and nurturing bedtime environment. The Pajama Program depends on the support of volunteers, supporters, event hosts, pajama drive sponsors, and of course, donations of cozy new pajamas and new children’s books.

"The Pajama Project is a great organization, and since helping children is what we do here at EASTERN, this program seemed like the perfect fit for us,” said Allison Larson, EASTERN’s Supervisor of Career and Technical Education. “Our hope is that these pajamas and books make the holiday season a little brighter for those in need.”

On December 21, Eileen Collins, EASTERN’s Assistant to the Supervisor of Career and Technical Education, and Amy Shields, EASTERN’s Organizational Advancement Director, delivered the pajamas and books to the local Pajama Program drop-off center, Bethanna, a Christian services organization for children and their families.

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EASTERN is a public school serving students in nine Eastern Montgomery County school districts. Participating districts include Abington, Bryn Athyn, Cheltenham, Hatboro-Horsham, Jenkintown, Lower Moreland, Springfield, Upper Dublin and Upper Moreland. Students benefit from specialized career programs that give them a competitive edge in college or in a career. The campus is at 3075 Terwood Road in Willow Grove.

For more information, please contact Amy Shields, Organizational Advancement Director at 215-784-4806, or visit the school’s website at www.eastech.org. Become a fan on Facebook – www.facebook.com/EasternCenter.