By Celeste Bruno, Communications Director at the MBLC
Collecting PJs to give to DCF kids is a good thing and libraries across the state have pitched in to be community collection sites. The Boston Bruins set a lofty goal for libraries—10,000 pairs in just over a month—and while we’re still counting, here’s some fun things you may not know about this year’s PJ Drive:
- A new record high of 146 libraries participated—that’s up from 93, just three years ago!
- ALL of Boston Public Library’s branches participated.
- Trustees at Norwood’s Morrill Memorial Library matched the PJs donated by the public—very nice!
- The Boston Symphony made a generous donation of 100 PJ’s to Great Barrington’s PJ Drive
- First Lady Lauren Baker did the chicken dance at Chicopee’s PJ and Pancake Dance Party!
- The Bruins made a one-of-a kind Team Jersey for Jonathan Bourne Public Library—the entire team signed it!
- This is the very first year that a library from every part of the state has participated: from the Berkshires to the Islands!
- More than 50% of libraries reached or exceeded their goal in spite of four Nor’easters.
- First Lady Lauren Baker gave a shout-out to libraries during her NESN interview during a Bruins game.
But please remember: No matter how many pairs of PJs you collected, each one makes a difference in the lives of the children who will wear them.
Thank you to all the libraries that help make this drive such a huge success.