Astoria Community unites to donate pajamas and books for children
Delgado, Mojave, Give Me Astoria and Simotas Host Ninth Annual Pajama and Book Drive
Astoria, N.Y. –On Thursday, November 8th, the annual Pajama Drive was again hosted by Maria L. Delgado, Mojave, Give Me Astoria and Assemblymember Aravella Simotas. More than 120 guests attended the event to support this charitable event which benefits the children of the Pajama Program, a non-profit organization that provides warm pajamas and books to children in need nationwide. Mojave, the hosting venue offered all guests passed hors d’oevres and specialty cocktails, which everyone enjoyed.
A lot of local businesses donated baskets and gift cards towards the Raffles for all the lucky winners. Some of the businesses that participated were Trattoria L’Incontro, Rosario’s, First Central Savings Bank, Ponce Bank, Dimitris Hair Design, Redken Saloon Salon, Gym-Azing, The Giving Tree Yoga Studio, Casanelli, Sapps, Culinary Wellness, Bareburger, and many other local businesses. In total, over 450 new pairs of pajamas and books were collected which surpassed last year’s donations.
Citations were presented from Simotas’ Assistant Deputy Legislative Director, Nichole Rondon and Council Member Costa Constantinides’s office to James McCartin, Owner of Mojave for their generosity in co-hosting the event this year, Sonja Mylonas of Give Me Astoria, Roselee Lehrer, Kiwanis Board Member, Mrs. Ana Fraioli, NYC Pajama Program Chapter President, and Maria L. Delgado, for her continued dedication and tireless efforts in creating and organizing the annual PJ Drive. “This is such a great event and charity that Assemblymember Simotas is happy to co-host it every year with Maria L. Delgado and Give Me Astoria,” said Nichole Rondon, Assistant Deputy Legislative Director. Delgado thanked and praised the community’s efforts, “I’m so grateful to all of you who continue to support my annual PJ Drive. Due to your donations here tonight, rest assured that you will forever impact a child’s life. It is clearly an indication that this event is successful every year due to your efforts in bringing awareness of the PJ Program’s mission into our community. I’m thankful to Mojave, Give Me Astoria, Assemblymember Simotas, but most of all, to our amazing community, local businesses, family and friends for their continued support and generosity.”
For more information on The Pajama Program, visit www.pajamaprogram.org