An excuse to wear pajamas to school and raise funds for a worthy cause makes for one of the students’ favorite days of the year in Trenton Catholic Academy, Hamilton.
The school’s annual Pajama Day on Jan. 12 brought in nearly $1,000 for Christine’s Hope for Kids, as teachers and students wore their pajamas to school in exchange for a monetary donation.
“Our students have always responded generously on Pajama Day and are able to see how their donations are used to help other children first hand,” said TCA Lower School director Anne Reap.
Christine’s Hope for Kids was founded in 2010 by John and Jean Gianacaci, Hopewell Township, in honor of their daughter Christine, who died in the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake. Christine, three fellow students and two professors on mission from Lynn University, Boca Raton, Fla., died that day, along with more than 100,000 Haitian people.
The foundation promotes “kids helping kids,” and as stated in their mission statement, “strives not only to raise money, but also to teach and communicate the idea that every person can make a difference. In keeping with this positive concept, the foundation hosts school events and programs that allow students to young students to directly help less fortunate kids in our own communities.”
Jean Gianacaci plans to return to TCA in the spring with pajamas and supplies purchased with the funds raised by Pajama Day, and will assist the students in make overnight bags for children in shelters.
“While the day commemorates a significant and sad day for the people of Haiti and those who knew and loved Christine, it also provides us an opportunity to continue her mission,” Reap noted.
For more information on Christine’s Hope for Kids or to make a donation, visit www.christineshope.org.