Wauconda group collecting pajamas and books

Submitted by Mary Ulrich

What started as a one-time fundraising idea is now in its fourth year.

In January 2009, the then Wauconda Area Junior Miss Sarah Ulrich and Little Miss Meg Basco decided to help the Pajama Program by collecting new pajamas and new books. They distributed fliers and placed collection boxes in various locations in the Wauconda Area. Meg and Sarah even held a Pajama Bowling party to help with donations.

Last year and again this year, they are teaming up with the Northern Illinois Scholarship Program as “Elite Supreme Queen” Meg Basco and “Princess Ambassador” Sarah Ulrich. In the last three years they have collected 563 new pajamas and 729 new books.

Diane Calabrese, Wauconda shop owner of “At the Green Bench” and Pageant Director of NISP, has donated her shop window to help promote the Pajama and Book Drive.

The Pajama Program is a not-for-profit organization providing new pajamas and new books to children in shelters or group homes or who are waiting for someone to adopt them; children living in temporary housing after a natural disaster or whose parents are in jail or homeless. It is the hope that every child will have a warm pair of pajamas and a bedtime story.

To help, look for the designated collection boxes at Robert Crown Elementary, Wauconda Grade School, Transfiguration Church and School, Messiah Lutheran Church, The Academy of Ballet, Bliss Wine, Aspire Boutique and At the Green Bench, all located in Wauconda, and Cotton Creek School in Island Lake.

Collection boxes will be out until Feb. 10. New pajamas from infant sizes to children’s size 16 for boys or girls are needed along with new books. For additional information, email pjdrivequeens@yahoo.com or call Mary Ulrich, at (847) 721-5563, or Julie Basco, at (815) 482-3697. Help provide warm pajamas and a bedtime story; one pair of pajamas can make a big difference.

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