Pajama Party Planning

The project:
Spend some time brainstorming and planning for a PJ Party for the Pajama Project.

Time:
30 minutes

Why bother?
This project caught my attention. We've enjoyed Project Linus and will, most likely, continue with it. But I thought we'd help give the Pajama Project a boost as it kicks off in our area. I'll post updates as they become available.

Worth it?
Too early to tell.

Field Calls about Pajama Program Drive

The project:
Return messages and field calls regarding our current PJ/Book drive for the Pajama Program.

Time:
20 minutes

Why bother?
Residents throughout our neighborhood are expressing interest in donating goods to the project. They need further details. I can provide those in a snap.

Worth it?
I hope so! The phone calls were simple. We'll see if the PJs pile up come Thursday!

Pajama Program - It's a Wrap

The project:
Pick up PJs and books from neighborhood drive project for the Pajama Program.

Time:
45 minutes

Why bother?
Last week we put out 200 fliers promoting this drive (ala Scouting Canned Food Drive). Today was the follow up.

Worth it?
Well, how do I answer this?

I'm disappointed, and educated.

Of the 200 homes we canvased, just two put out PJs/Books for this program. I'm super disappointed because, though these may be tough economic times for some, a pair of infant PJs can be had at the local megastore for the same price as a latte at various coffee hangouts. Thrown in the price of a muffin and you're up to a pair of PJs for toddlers.

Today's haul (including our own contributions): 7 pairs of PJs, 14 books and half a dozen stuffed animals.

I know...not everyone shares our values, but 1 percent response?

Wow.

To be fair, I confess I seldom put out canned food for the Scouts' canned food drive when they come through our neighborhood for the MERE reason that we take our food to the Food Bank ourselves. You can be sure that, come next Scout drive, we'll be putting SOMETHING out.


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Pajama Party Planning, part II

The project: Planning for the Pajama Project

Time:
30 minutes

Why bother?
All good things take planning. To read more about this project, click here.

Worth it?
We shall see if anyone bites. More info to follow.

Working Out Pajama Party Details

The project:
In an ongoing project to help raise awareness of and PJs for the Pajama Program, I continue working with the local fire department.

Time:
20 minutes via phone

Why bother?
Organization takes time. While the local F.D. would like to help, negotiating the food, the location, the staff and trying to estimate the number of people who MIGHT show are proving to be big hurdles. Not sure we'll be able to overcome them. This may simply become a neighborhood drive. Or I might hit up family and friends.

Worth it?
I hope so. If we can get something together at the local fire station, I think it would be a bigger draw for families with children. And any kid-visit to the fire station is a good thing for the station and the kids.

Pajama Party Anyone?

We've almost wrapped up our work on our initial quilt run for Project Linus. We'll see how the project coordinator for our area receives them before we make any more.

Meanwhile, I was recently made aware of this project which we've taken on for March.

The project:
Gather new pajamas and bedtime stories for children in our own community.

Time:
20 minutes - research, early organization and putting out the call

Why bother?
Seems like a worthy project. We have lots of kids in our area in shelters or foster situations. Cuddling up with comfy PJs and a good book at bedtime are among life's simple pleasures.

Worth it?
We'll see how it pans out. I like the idea of this drive. Let's see what we can bring together! :)

The Backlash

Beyond helping my family with everyday projects, chores and providing attention as needed, I didn't do any charitable deeds today. In fact, I don't think we even left our property.

Le'me think.

Um.....

Nope!

I do have a confession to make. This seems like as good a time as any.

I feel sometimes like my efforts are pointless. They've been insignificant gestures, really. These deeds have been just too minor, and my efforts to do larger deeds haven't been that successful. (See the earlier hopes for a Pajama Project event.)

I had hoped that, by doing good for others, those folks might pass on the sentiment to others. Not to ME, just whoever stepped into their lives next, or in need of some help they could provide. But I'm not even making a difference in my own neighborhood. We've picked up trash only to find the streets and sidewalks and park littered again the next day. We've taken out neighbors' trash cans, brought them back in, picked up their newspapers when they're away, all unbidden. It shouldn't matter that they don't know who's doing this for them. It shouldn't even matter that someone HAS done this for them. But when we go out of town for a day or three, do they even bother to toss our newspapers toward the front door? No. Our papers lay in the driveway or on the front lawn or wherever they may fall, soaking up dew and sprinkler spit, announcing our home's vacancy, until our return. How long would they let this go on? (Hmmm...I feel a sociology experiment coming on.)
I know I shouldn't expect much, if anything, from others; that if I WANT someone to pick up my papers while we're away, I should just ask. But the newspaper detail is one that completely skips my mind as I pack for a family of four and head out the door, so I never THINK to ask a neighbor. And I ALLOW myself to be disappointed when I see the collection in the front yard.

I know that. I'll work on it.
But today I did for my family, with my family.

Sure, I collected my recycling in their proper bins, turned off unnecessary lights, kept water consumption low. But there were no gestures to outsiders, no door opening for strangers, no trash pick up outside our own place.

Photo courtesy Ohm17 under Creative Commons License.

Pajama Program Call for PJs & Books

The project:
Make and distribute a flier to 150 neighbors for our neighborhood PJ and Book Drive.

Time:
90 minutes to create and print fliers and distribute them door to door.

Why bother?
I think this is a worthy project that benefits local shelters. I've been trying to work up a bigger drive, but coordination is causing delays. Let's get the PJs going, folks! :)

Worth it?
We'll see if neighbors contribute - if so, yes, if not, then this first effort will be a bust. Pickup day is next Thursday. I'll post the results then.

Spreading the Word

The project:
Help publicize some favorite local projects and programs.

Time:
45 minutes

Why bother?
If you believe in something, shouldn't you help spread the word? I think so. That's why I'm helping to spread the word, by any means available to me, about Project F.A.R. and W.I.D.E., Petfinder.com (see images in sidebar), the local animal shelters, the Pajama Program and other volunteer activities in which I've invested family time.

Worth it?
Absolutely.

Pajama Program Coordination

I know I talked about this project weeks ago, but all good things take time. :)

The project: Today I finally managed to chase down some key players in what I hope will be a big, fun, family-friendly event to gather PJs for the project.

Time:
45 minutes - lots o' phone calls. TAG!

Why bother?
I could just buy some PJs and be done with it, but that's just NO fun! I'd like to include family and friends. So why not the community?

Worth it?
Got through to some super friendly folks. I hope they're as helpful as I feel hopeful.

PJ Program Drop Off in Santa Maria

The Pajama Program serving northern Santa Barbara County and San Luis Obispo County is getting organized! Care to join in but missed our neighborhood drive? Here's a NEW SPOT in Santa Maria for dropping off new (with labels/tags) PJs (sizes infant to teen) and bedtime books.

NEW! Drop-Off Location for New Pajamas and Books:
Santa Maria Valley Physical Therapy Group
820 E. Enos Drive
(behind Edwards Cinemas)

Office Hours are Monday through Friday: 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Donate Cash to Food Program

The project:
Donate cash to the local food program.

Time:
Seconds to pull out the wallet. A blink of an eye to drop it in the barrel.

Why bother?
Long Beach, Washington, has lots of fun activities throughout the Thanksgiving holiday weekend (and, no doubt, throughout the year). We particularly enjoy the Pajama Party for kids at the local theater. In trade for admission to the showing of a kid-friendly flick, the theater requests donations be made to the local food pantry program - canned/packaged food or a cash donation. Lacking foresight, we took the cash option.

Worth it?
YES! I think it's super neat that the theater gives its space up for a program that has become a family tradition for so many, while also providing a program that benefits local families and individuals in need.


Photo courtesy Dinah Sanders under Creative Commons License.