So it is November, and despite the craziness of the past few months, I am reminded this time of year to be grateful and to have thanks for all of the many blessings in my life. The temperature outside is dropping here on the East Coast. I have taken out all of our warm fuzzy pajamas and fleeces to prepare for the cold weather. I am grateful for my home, my family, and for all of the necessities we have which will ensure a warm, safe winter.

As it gets colder, I often think about all of those who have to go without such necessities. I recently came across an amazing organization looking to change the lives of those in need. The Pajama Program is an organization devoted to helping children living in orphanages, group homes and shelters. The Pajama Program supplies these children with new pajamas and new books. What seems so simple to us means a lot to these children, many of whom do not have a family, a home and have been abused or neglected.

The Pajama Program has inspired me to make a difference. What if I could collect 30 pairs of new pajamas in the 30 days of November? The Pajama Program’s website, www.pajamaprogram.org/index.html, is really easy to navigate and gives many options to help out and donate in every city. I am pretty sure that I can collect 30 new pairs of pajamas by reaching out to friends and family. I bet that if I posted my goal on facebook, I may even find more friends who may want to help out. The Pajama Program has a goal of collecting 43,847 pairs of new pajamas and books this month. Although 30 may be a small contribution, it is better than nothing! If 1500 people are inspired to do the same, they have reached their goal!

Community service and social work used to be a huge part of my life. Since the birth of my daughter, I haven’t done any social work or volunteering, something that I had spent most of my life doing. I find since becoming a mom, my patience, my perspective, my compassion and my empathy have grown in ways I could have never imagined. I wish I had those enhanced traits many years ago when I was doing high school counseling or working with college students! Now that my toddler occupies 14 hours of my day, I find it hard to find the time and energy to participate in other activities.

I think collecting 30 new pairs of pajamas in 30 days is something I can do. It is a great way to participate in service together with my daughter. My daughter would love helping me collect pajamas. I can see her asking people to donate, admiring the pajamas upon collection and then helping me count them! Although she is still small, I think doing projects like this together can influence her greatly.

There are many children who are in need. They do not have a warm home, a family, or the basic necessities needed. I am grateful to the Pajama Program for doing the incredible work they are doing to make a small difference in the lives of these children. I hope I can reach my goal of 30 pajamas in 30 days!