Board of Library Commissioners/Boston Bruins

For the past 10 years, the Boston Bruins and Cradles to Crayons have teamed up with Massachusetts libraries to collect pajamas for babies, children, and teens as part of the Annual PJ Drive. 2017 marked the first time that the DCF Kids Fund participated and was a recipient of a portion of the PJs collected.

With DCF Kids participation, the drive has positively impacted every community in Massachusetts. “Every year we have libraries in Western Massachusetts asking us if donated PJs will be going back to their community” said MBLC director Dianne Carty. “This is the first time we are able to give a resounding ‘yes’ as an answer, and we are thrilled to work with DCF Kids to make this happen.”

Many libraries from Western Massachusetts participated for the first time, citing the involvement of DCF Kids as their reason. “We are very excited that the pajamas donated will be benefiting our community” said one Western Mass librarian. In total, 117 libraries from across Massachusetts signed up to participate in the drive, collecting 9,182 pajamas and $1,854.

First Lady of the Commonwealth Lauren Baker kicked off the 10th annual Boston Bruins Pajama drive at the Children’s Library of the Boston Public Library’s Central Library in Copley Square on February 1st. She was joined by Department of Children and Families Commissioner Linda Spears, and MBLC Chair Mary Ann Cluggish for a special story time featuring Bruins Mascot Blades.

Bruins forward P.J. Axelsson and his wife, Siw, started the PJ drive during the Boston Bruins 2007-2008 season as a way to give to give back to their community. To honor the 10th anniversary of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive, the lofty goal of collecting 10,000 pajamas for children in need was set. With help from Massachusetts libraries, this goal was surpassed, and a total of 12,150 PJs and $5,304 were collected, a new record for the drive.