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Yonkers Hopes To Help With Pajamas Collection

YONKERS, N.Y. – With a little support, members of the Yonkers Chamber of Commerce are hoping they can help hundreds of city children sleep a little better at night.

The chamber’s Women in Business Committee has announced it is teaming up with the Pajama Program and spearheading a month-long effort to collect pajamas and book donations for needy children citywide.

“So many children are without warm bedtime clothing and education so we developed a creative program to provide some of both,” said Genevieve Piturro, Women in Business Committee founder and executive director, according to the chamber website. “We intend to make a difference – giving back is what it’s all about.”

The effort is a part of the Pajama Program, a New York City-based not-for profit group that provides new pajamas and books to needy children, ages four through 17. Since 2001, the program reports it has delivered over 1 million new pajamas and new books to children around the country, living in places like homeless shelters, group homes and temporary housing.  

With an estimated 1.5 million children still living under these conditions today, Yonkers community leaders are pledging their support and asking residents to do the same.

In addition to the City of Yonkers, the Yonkers Public School District and St. John’s Riverside Hospital will host pajamas- and book-collection drives of their own.

“The goal of this partnership is to help provide a small, yet meaningful token of comfort to those children here in Yonkers facing the most difficult of circumstances, often without parents or a place to call home,” Mayor Mike Spano said in a statement.

All donations made in Yonkers will benefit local children including those at the Andrus Children’s Home and Leake & Watts Center, as well as the Yonkers Public School’s Community Closet, officials said.

The city of Yonkers has set up drop off locations for new pajamas and new book donations at City Hall, the 87 Nepperhan Ave. City Office Building and the Cacace Justice Center at 104 S. Broadway. Donations are also being accepted at the Yonkers Board of Education, 1 Larkin Plaza, Riverfront Library, Will Library and Crestwood Library.

The Employee Health Department at St. John’s Riverside Hospital will accept donations at its 967 N. Broadway location.

Citywide, donations will be accepted through November 9.

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