Mercy Holds Pajama Party for Those in Need
Mercy Holds Pajama Party for Those in Need
By: Jennifer C. Kensel, Mercy High School
Mercy students Leigha Santoro, Samantha Smith, Sara McLarty, Kaitlyn Carroll and Mallory Bordonaro collect pajamas for teenager girls in need.
On the day before their Christmas vacation, students at Mercy High School held a school-wide “pajama party” – designed with the spirit of giving in mind. While planning the Christmas prayer service, student Peer Ministers came up with the idea of inviting students and faculty members to wear festive pajama bottoms to school for the purpose of helping others.
Students were encouraged to give up their uniforms for a day – but only if they brought in a pair of new pajamas, purchased a gift card or made a monetary donation for a teenage girl in need. The students collected over 200 pairs of pajamas and $1,300.00. The school was full of joy, excitement and Christmas spirit!
The pajamas and money were donated to “Paying if Forward,” a non-profit organization in Bridgeport founded by Mrs. Donna Santoro, parent of two Mercy students (Marlee ’09 and Leigha ’11), and Sr. Eileen Boffa, RSM, former Mercy board member.
During the Christmas Prayer Service, Sr. Mary McCarthy, Principal, thanked the girls for their profound generosity and declared Pajama Day a new holiday tradition at Mercy High School. She also recognized the success of many other fund-raising initiatives undertaken at Christmas, including the National Honor Society book drive and Santa Sacks, and numerous clothing and food drives.