By Matt Weingarden with notes from Devan Mighton
Once again, we are on the dawn of the holiday season and once again, Lola’s Pajama Fairy Project will be collecting warm and cozy pajamas. This year they have partnered with Essex Powerlines Corporation. For every customer who goes paperless – Essex Powerlines will donate a pair of pajamas to the project.
The charity, which has expanded its reach across the county, is inspired by a children’s story that Martin Denonville wrote for his granddaughter – Janice the Pajama Fairy.
He and his wife, Carrie Lee, collect donations of new pajamas and money, in hopes that as many charities as possible will receive pajamas for the children and families they support.
It all came from a children’s story
Christmas morning is a rite of passage for many Canadian children and an endeavour, no less joyful, for those who rear them. With this in mind, a common gift in many families is pajamas. Many families unwrap presents in their PJs, they are comfy — why not another set?
When Carrie Lee and Martin Denonville became grandparents, they decided that their granddaughter, Lola, needed to be part of a family tradition. Each Christmas, they planned to give her a fresh new set of PJs.
“The first year we were delivering pajamas to Lola when she was just a baby, I asked my husband to go with the pajamas and a little fairy ornament, ‘Could you write her a little note?” Carrie recalled. Martin thought this was a splendid idea and the note blossomed into something entirely different.
“The note turned into a story called ‘Janice The Pajama Fairy’,” she explained. “It’s a feel-good story about a boy who didn’t see the positive in things and as he learned, they started making pajamas for all the other little fairies.”
“It’s dedicated to Lola from her grandfather.”
“As Lola got older, the story kept growing,” said Carrie. “A number of years back, we had it illustrated by Anne Nantais a friend and talented artist. I said we need to do something with this … and that’s when we started Lola’s Pajama Fairy Project and it just took off.”
“The book is what gave Lola’s Pajama Fairy its start. It has grown so much more than we ever imagined.” This year we celebrate our 6th year of collecting pajamas. Last year over 1600 pairs were collected and distributed to many charities. We are hopeful to exceed that this year.
Make a donation
As for Lola’s Pajama Fairy Project, a donation of pajamas in all sizes including adults or money can be made in several ways.
Carrie and Martin have set up a Pajama Fairy donation box on their porch at 821 Fairview Blvd. in Windsor, but are also willing to do pickups and can be reached at 519-996-7148.
This year the Lakeshore Community Support Centre, 962 Old Tecumseh Rd., is accepting donations from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
“We are so pleased to be part of Lola’s Pajama Fairy Project,” said Community Support Centre CEO Tracey Bailey. “Every child deserves a new pair of cozy pajamas at Christmas. I remember being so excited to open my new pajamas and hope everyone will donate.”
Other drop-off sites include PhysioFit at 4510 Rhodes Dr. Windsor, Nguyen Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Centre at 1918 Wyandotte St. E. in Windsor, and Riverside Royal Canadian Legion Br. 255 at 5645 Wyandotte St. E.
Donations in LaSalle are accepted at the Civic Centre, 5950 Malden Rd. Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and in Amherstburg at ReMax Preferred Realty Ltd., 80 Sandwich St., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5.
In Leamington you can donate at the Nature Fresh Farms Recreation Centre, 249 Sherk St. Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Pajamas will be donated to Hiatus House, Adopt a Vet, Matthew House and as many other charities as donations will allow. Make your donation until December 1.
For more information, please visit https://www.facebook.com/lolaspjproject/.
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