Good friends Marlene Lipps (left) and Connie Osachoff have once again teamed up to organize a Christmas Pyjama Drive for needy children in the area. All of the pyjamas that are donated will be forwarded to School District 53 and teachers will then distribute them to children across the region. (Keith Lacey photo)
When Connie Osachoff was a little girl growing up, one of the highlights of Christmas season was receiving a warm pair of pyjamas from her favourite aunt.
“I always knew what she was going to buy me, but I would always get excited because every little boy and girl loves a new pair of pyjamas,” said Osachoff.
With the help of her good friend Marlene Lipps, Osachoff came up with the idea last year of initiating a pyjama drive to benefit local children.
Local residents purchased more than 120 pairs of pyjamas, which were forwarded to School District 53 and then donated to school children from across the region, said Osachoff.
“The response we received last year was just overwhelming and we want to be able to help even more children this year,” she said.
The second annual pyjama drive will take place between December 1 and 15 with local residents asked to purchase and drop them off in the lobby at Cactus Ridge Seniors Residence.
“We need pyjamas of all shapes and sizes from infants to age 12,” said Osachoff, who has been heavily involved in community volunteering for many years. “All of the pyjamas will be forwarded to School District 53 and the good people there will hand them out to children in need before Christmas.”
Lipps said she loved working on the project last year and is very happy to once again be involved in this year’s pyjama drive.
“Every child loves a new pair of pyjamas,” she said. “This is a very simple and inexpensive way to brighten the life of local children for the Christmas season.”
Marieze Tarr, the chair of the board of trustees with School District 53, has been very supportive of the pyjama drive and is once again informing teachers about the project and ensuring children in need from across the region will benefit, said Osachoff.
Numerous residents who were involved last year have already made inquiries and want to get involved again this year, she said.
The Valley First Credit Union in Oliver will be helping out this year’s pyjama drive and residents in that community can drop off pyjamas during business hours before December 15, said Osachoff.
“We had great response during our first year and I think we’re going to have even better response this time around,” said Osachoff. “People are very generous in this community and this is an easy way to help local children.”
Tracy Harfman, the manager at Cactus Ridge, has been extremely helpful by allowing the pyjama drive to operate out of that facility and her assistance is very much appreciated, said Osachoff.
Many of the seniors who reside at Cactus Ridge have already purchased pyjamas for the children and many more have promised to once the campaign officially gets underway next week, she said.
“I’m just very thankful for all of the support we receive in putting this pyjama drive together,” she said.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
