GREATER ESSEX COUNTY DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
Pajama Extravaganza Collects over 1,000 Pairs of Pajamas for Children in Hospitals

Just because the holidays are over does not mean we are done celebrating the incredible efforts of students at the Greater Essex County District School Board.

Megan Patrick and Lauren Meadows' 4th Annual "Megan and Lauren's Pajama Extravaganza" brought the community together through fundraising at local events, generous donations from community groups and a school wide partnership with their classmates at Centennial Central Public School. Together, they donated an incredible 1,025 pairs of pajamas this past holiday season, nearly double the total collected during the 2024 campaign.

The pajamas were donated to the following locations:

• Pediatric Floor and NICU at Windsor Regional Hospital
• Labour and Delivery Department at Erie Shores Healthcare
• The Children's Hospital at London Health Science Centre
• Ronald McDonald Houses in Windsor, London, Hamilton and Toronto - Sick Kids Hospital

In 2018, Megan Patrick was diagnosed with Leukemia. Because of her diagnosis, she spent Christmas in the hospital without any special holiday pajamas. Following her recovery, Megan's family started a pajama drive for hospitals in Windsor and London, ensuring that all of the kids in these hospitals had special pajamas for Christmas Eve. After being diagnosed with Leukemia for a second time in 2022, the campaign was put on hiatus, returning in 2023 after Megan's friend Lauren announced that she would be asking friends and family to donate pajamas in lieu of sending her birthday gifts.

"We appreciate that so many people stepped up to help this event be a success again this year," said Mellissa Patrick, Megan's mother. "Collecting the pajamas is a big job, but so many people have opened up their hearts to support our mission to make sure that every child in the hospital in our region has a set of Christmas pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve. This year we were able to ensure that the Ronald McDonald House in Windsor and Hamilton received pajamas and both locations were so excited to receive the donations from the girls."

Since 2023, Megan and Lauren have continued the pajama drive together, working as a team to support children in their community.

The GECDSB and the Centennial Central Public School community are incredibly proud of Megan and Lauren for their leadership and commitment to making the holidays brighter for children who need it most. What a beautiful tradition that truly reflects the spirit of the season!