LAKE COUNTY — A non-profit organization aimed at providing for the children of the area is joining the local resource community. The “Pajama Program” has established a Lake County chapter with Clearlake woman Jinger Hearn at the helm.
The program provides youth with new pajamas and new books in order to create a warm, loving bedtime atmosphere for children who may not have a stable environment.
“We”re thrilled to work with Jinger to first identify the need in Lake County and then to help provide as many new pajamas and books to the children as possible,” Genevieve Piturro, Pajama Program founder said.
Hearn said she learned of the program through her daughter, who is the co-president of the Alabama chapter. “I thought it was a good idea and something that is needed in our own area,” she said. “There are a lot of low- income families here and it gets cold in the winter. Many of our local families struggle to ensure that their children have all they need and I hope this project helps.”
Hearn is a northern California native who has worked with children in various capacities for more than 30 years. She has served as a Girl Scout leader, Cub Scout den mother, a team mom for various Little League teams and advisory board member for the local Rainbow Girls Assembly. At East Lake Elementary School Hearn served as president of the Parent/Teacher Organization and was a volunteer teacher”s aide, who was instrumental in bringing the school its very first talent show, Halloween festival, school newsletter and yearbook.
“I raised three children here and I know how difficult it can be,” Hearn said. “Warm, cozy pajamas and a good book could be just what some families need to come together after a long, busy day.”
Additionally, Hearn has been a Grange member for more than 15 years, a member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West and a past royal matron of the Order of Amaranth. She also served 13 years on the board of directors for the Northern California Racing Association, nine of which she served as secretary. She served on the board of directors for the Lake County Historical Society as well.
“I”ve always been involved in something,” Hearn said. “Even though my children are grown, I have three grandchildren and would like to continue my involvement with the youth of our community.”
The Pajama Program, a 501(c)(3) children”s charity, was founded in 2001. The program”s mission is to provide new, warm pajamas and books to needy children nationwide. “Too often, these youngsters have been abused or abandoned and in most cases, have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a loving mother or father to tuck them in at bedtime,” Piturro said. “By contributing to a warmer and more nurturing environment when they are at their most vulnerable, the Pajama Program gives them a sense of love and belonging.”
Hearn is currently seeking to establish partnerships with “receiving organizations” that can assist in ensuring that the pajamas and books reach those children in the community that are in need. She also seeks individuals and organizations willing to participate in collection events.
Piturro said that to date, the Pajama Program has provided more than 190,000 new pajamas and 90,000 new books to children in need.
For more information regarding the Pajama Program Lake County chapter, please contact Jinger Hearn at 701-4528; program information is also available on the Web at www.pajamaprogram.org.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
