Massachusetts Libraries are Top Collectors for PJ Drive
April 12, 2018
Matthew Perry
Outreach Coordinator
1-800-952-7403 x208
matthew.s.perry@state.ma.us
Massachusetts libraries collected donated pajamas throughout February and March as part of the annual Boston Bruins PJ Drive. 2018 marked the 11th year of the drive, and the second year of participation by the Department of Children and Families Wonderfund. The drive also benefited Cradles to Crayons who have been a partner since the beginning.
This year, 11,949 new pairs of pajamas were collected across the Commonwealth with a record 185 groups participating. Of those groups, 130 were Massachusetts libraries who together collected 9,455 of the total pairs of pajamas.
The MBLC once again teamed up with First Lady of The Commonwealth and DCF Wonderfund board member Lauren Baker to promote the drive at libraries. Following a successful kickoff event at the Morrill Memorial Library in Norwood, Mrs. Baker visited the Chicopee Public Library for a pancake dance party, and the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield for a PJ story time. The Wonderfund's involvement has inspired many Western Massachusetts Libraries to participate in the drive because the pajamas collected by them directly benefit children in their communities.
In addition to acting as collection sites, the Massachusetts Library System's delivery service played a key role in transporting pajamas across the state to get them to their destination. This service, typically used to send books and other library materials, sends PJs to the regional sorting centers which increases libraries' ability to participate in the drive.
Former 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 back to their community. The couple collected 1,600 pairs of pajamas for Cradles to Crayons which conncets with social service agencies in Massachusetts to identify specific children in need.
To encourage paricipation, the Bruins offered special prizes to the top three collectors. This year marks the first time that all three of the top collectors are libraries:
First Place: Jonathan Bourne Public Library, Bourne
- New PJs Collected: 2,020
- Prize: Street hockey clinic with Bruins mascot Blades
Second Place: Morrill Memorial Library, Norwood
- New PJs Collected: 606
- Prize: Special appearance by Bruins mascot Blades at the library
Third Place: Sandwich Free Public Library
- New PJs Collected: 449
- Prize: Autographed Bruins Item
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.