Meadow Ridge students collect pajamas for Together We Cope

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Kerry Nolan (left) and Tina Kessens of Together We Cope unpack dozens of pajamas contributed to the agency by youngsters at Meadow Ridge School in Orland Park. | Supplied Photo

Updated: March 6, 2012 8:03AM

More than 20 cartons of children’s pajamas recently arrived at the back door of Together We Cope in Tinley Park, a gift from youngsters at Meadow Ridge School in Orland School District 135.

The school, which serves children in third through fifth grades, conducted “The Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive.” Letters were sent home to parents encouraging them to participate in the program to benefit TWC, a nonprofit agency that assists families in temporary crisis from 22 south suburbs.

The pajamas, in all sizes and styles, were sorted and packed up by members of Meadow Ridge’s Student Council, which sponsored the drive, and then delivered to TWC. Student council members are in fourth and fifth grades at Meadow Ridge.

“This was a significant donation to our Adopt-a-Child program this year,” said Tina Kessens, of Together We Cope. “We were able to add a pair of warm, snuggly pajamas to every gift bag we prepared for 1,300 youngsters whose families sought help from us this holiday. The Meadow Ridge children were big contributors to that effort.”

TWC’s Adopt-a-Child program is an outreach event in which community residents, organizations, businesses, churches and schools “adopt” children registered with the agency and provide the items listed by the children.

“We’ve seen several instances this year of children helping children,” said Kathryn Straniero, executive director of Together We Cope. “It is always so heartening to see the little ones go to work like this to give a helping hand to other children. We are very grateful to Meadow Ridge School students and their parents for their generosity. ”

Information: www.togetherwecope.org.