FLORENCE – More than 500,000 children in the U.S. have been abused or abandoned and live in foster care. Many have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a parent tuck them in at night in clean, warm pajamas, or had books for bedtime stories.
That’s why Magnolia Mall is taking part in Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust’s (PREIT) Operation PJ Pile Up to collect new pajamas or new books for children in need this holiday season. Collection bins are located in the mall’s Customer Service through Dec. 31.
“During the holidays people want to give. Operation PJ Pile Up gives our shoppers a way to help children feel like someone is wrapping their arms around them,” says Mackenzie Webb, marketing director for Magnolia Mall. “We encourage the community to donate a new pair of pajamas or new books at our Operation PJ Pile Up collection bin. Sizes ranging from toddler to young adult are welcome. Your generosity will affect a local child who may not have the warmth of a parent’s love.”
Magnolia Mall’s efforts are part of PREIT's company-wide Operation PJ Pile Up campaign taking place at all 39 PREIT shopping malls.
The charity drive is a partnership between PREIT and the Pajama Program, a national non-profit that delivers new pajamas and new books to children and teens in need. The goal of Operation PJ Pile Up is to collect 25,000 new pajamas and 2,500 new books across all participating malls.
“Children are most vulnerable during this time of year,” says Genevieve Piturro, founder and Executive Director of the Pajama Program. “We’re grateful PREIT has sought out our organization and supports our efforts to help children, especially during these troubling times. The need is especially great for pajamas and books for older children.”
Since 2001, the Pajama Program has provided more than 213,000 pajamas and books to children nationwide. Today, it has 73 chapters in 42 states nationwide.
Operation PJ Pile Up is a component of the PREIT Cares program, the company's springboard for charitable giving which focuses on healthcare, education, arts, social responsibility and sustainability initiatives.
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