Libraries support the Annual Bruins PJ Drive
January 31, 2018
Celeste Bruno
Communications Director
1-800-952-7403 x208
celeste.bruno@state.ma.us
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is once again teaming up with the Boston Bruins for the 11th Annual PJ Drive to benefit DCF Wonderfund and Cradles to Crayons. The Boston Bruins PJ Drive runs from February 1 through March 15, 2018. Libraries across the Commonwealth will be collecting new pairs of pajamas for babies, children and teens.
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) works with the Boston Bruins to coordinate library participation in the drive. This year’s drive has 127 participating public and school libraries from around the state that use the Massachusetts Library System’s delivery service, typically used to send books and other library materials, to send their PJs to the regional sorting centers which increases libraries’ ability to participate in the drive. To find a participating libraries visit the MBLC website.
Bruins forward P.J. Axelsson and his wife, Siw, started the PJ drive during the Boston Bruins 2007-2008 season as a way to give to give back to their community. The couple collected 1,600 pairs of pajamas for Cradles to Crayons which connects with social service agencies to identify specific children in need.
In 2017, the drive expanded to benefit DCF’s Wonderfund. DCF estimates that at any given time the agency is working with 50,000 babies, children and teens. DCF’s participation helps ensure that PJs stay in the area in which they were collected, benefitting local kids and teens. First Lady of the Commonwealth Lauren Baker kicked off this year’s drive with a special event featuring Bruins mascot Blades at Norwood’s Morrill Memorial Library. The Norwood Library has been a long-time participant in the drive and a library trustee matches the number of PJs collected by the library.
This year’s PJ Drive goal is to collect 15,000 pairs of new pajamas. Last year, libraries helped the drive soar passed its target goal of 10,000 PJs and collected more than 12,000 pairs of new pajamas. Libraries collected 9,182 PJs. The public can get involved by bringing new pajamas to a local library and donating them to the drive.
The PJ Drive is presented by Freihofer’s & Roche Brothers. For more information, please visit libraries.state.ma.us.
About MBLC
The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.