Locals Don Pyjamas To Help Kids In Care
Mary-Anne, Denise, Kathy, Sue, and Cherie enjoying morning tea in their PJs. Sue won a prize from the raffle, kindly donated by Rainbow Beach Post Office.
Even though we are blessed with pristine beaches, spectacular bushland, and a sensational climate, one of the best things about Rainbow Beach remains its residents.
The enormous hearts and kindness of our neighbours never ceases to amaze and inspire.
Recently, Rainbow resident Deb Taylor hosted a Pyjama Day morning tea with some other lovely local ladies to raise awareness and funds for the wonderful Pyjama Foundation.
The Pyjama Foundation provides children in foster care the opportunity to change the direction of their lives with learning, life skills, and confidence. Through the Love of Learning program, volunteers called ‘Pyjama Angels’ are recruited, screened, trained, and then matched with a child in care and spend time with them once a week, focusing on learning-based activities such as reading books aloud with their child, playing educational games, and helping with homework.
Deb has been a Pyjama Angel for six years, in the Sunshine Coast and Cooloola areas and currently sees three children in care.
‘I love being there for these children and they bring a lot of joy to my life as well,’ she says.
‘A lot of children in care unfortunately fall behind in their education due to the trauma that they have experienced. Just someone else as a positive role model, besides the wonderful foster family, helping them along their journey can make a difference.’
In addition to her ongoing volunteer work, Deb decided to hold a Pyjama Day morning tea to bring some attention to the good works of the Pyjama Foundation.
‘It was a good turnout and we certainly raised some awareness,’ says Deb. ‘We also managed to raise much needed funds.
‘I am so thankful for the support, and to some of the local businesses that provided goods and vouchers to raffle for the event.’
More Pyjama Angels are needed in the surrounding area. If you are passionate about helping kids in care by improving their learning skills, go to thepyjamafoundation.com for more information and to donate or register for the program.
