Rochester Mom Collects Pajamas for Children

When Dana Meyer tucks her three young girls into bed each night in their Rochester home, she doesn't like to think about the children who lay down to sleep without pajamas or a bedtime story.

So she's decided to do something about it.

Meyer, through the national organization Pajama Program, has organized a pajama drive this week and said she hopes to collect enough pajamas and books to make nighttime a little more comforting to needy children in the area.

"Sometimes my daughters would have difficulty at bedtime, trying to decide which pajamas to wear or which bedtime story to read," said Meyer. "I wanted to try to show them that some children don't have to make that decision because they don't have those things."

Last year, she organized a breakfast at her home and invited friends and their children to stop by and bring a pair of pajamas or a new book. The effort collected about 30 pairs of new pajamas and several books. This year, Meyer expanded the effort to a two-day event at , where her daughter Kate attends school.

Meyer dressed in pajamas herself Monday for Day One of the pajama drive. She collected the pajamas and books while her husband, Brian, served pizza to donors. in Rochester Hills donated pizza for the event.

Meyer connected with the Pajama Program and last year was able to give the pajamas to a charity in Pontiac. This year, she hopes to give the pajamas to an organization in Rochester.

"It's so sad to me to know that there are needy children right here, and I just hope to make a little bit of a difference," Meyer said.

Pajama Party

When: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Where: In the fellowship hall at , 1550 Walton Blvd.

What they need: New pajamas in any children's sizes and new children's books.

For more information: Visit Pajama Program at www.pajamaprogram.org.