Nine-year-old Oliver Koenig-Paquin from Glastonbury started collecting pajamas when he learned not every child has a warm set to wear to bed. This year, his goal is 6,500 sets.
He’s helped thousands of kids, and this year he wants to help even more. Oliver’s Pajama Project is back.
Nine-year-old Oliver Koenig-Paquin from Glastonbury makes sure every pajama is folded and packed with care in the right box because each one will soon go to a child in need.
“It makes me feel good knowing that kids are feeling safe and warm during bed,” said Oliver.
In preschool, Oliver learned not every child has warm pajamas to wear to bed, and he felt that wasn’t right. So Oliver’s Pajama Project was born, and the number of kids he helps grows. In its sixth year, the goal is 6,500 new pajama sets, which includes a top and bottom, or a onesie. And this year, Oliver knew their house couldn’t hold them all.
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“We were not able to fit that many pairs of pajamas in our house last year, so on Christmas Eve we had to take all of them and put them in the garage. And this year we got a POD to put the pajamas in,” said Oliver.
“It’s really a community endeavor, and it’s amazing to see that it’s a 9-year-old that’s leading this cause,” said Oliver’s mom, Danielle Paquin.
Max Cares Foundation donated the pod to store the pajamas. Quality Name Plate donated the banner and flyers. Scholastic will gift a book with every pair. Home Depot donated the boxes and the packing supplies.
Local
And 35 companies across the state, including Margaret Wilcox Team at William Raveis Real Estate, offered to be collection sites.
Boxes are filling up, but there’s still a lot more pajamas they need before the deadline on December 14th. So far, they’ve got more than 1,200.
“If you could donate, please do. I’m trying to reach my goal of 6,500,” said Oliver.
On Friday night, the Kiwanis Club of Glastonbury donated $500 to the cause. It’s money that Oliver will make sure goes far.
“He has become quite the savvy shopper. He looks for the deals. He wants to spend his money wisely,” said Paquin.
Because every single one he gets means one more kid has something warm and cozy to wear to bed.
“It feels good, and it makes me happy knowing that I can help other kids,” said Oliver.
Oliver’s Pajama Project says there’s a need for adult-size pajamas for teens, which includes 2XL and 3XL. If you’d like to donate pajamas, you can drop them off at any of the locations at the end of this article.
You can also donate cash here so Oliver can buy pajamas.
For more information about Oliver’s Pajama Project, visit the Facebook page.
Beardsley Zoo is also a drop off location for Oliver’s Pajama Project. The zoo will host a pajama parade at noon on December 4. People who want to take part are encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas.
OLIVER'S PAJAMA PROJECT DROP OFF LOCATION
AVON
Liquid Nirvana - 39 E. Main Street
Collection bin inside establishment
Receive a $1 coupon for pajama donations
F45 Training - 260 W. Main Street
Collection bin inside establishment
BERLIN
Dynasty Jewelry - 1064 Farmington Ave.
Dragonfly Home & Gift - 1064 Farmington Ave.
BLOOMFIELD
Bright Horizons at Hall Boulevard - 1355 Hall Blvd
BRIDGEPORT
Beardsley Zoo - 1875 Noble Ave
Collecting through December 30
Collection box located at ticket booth
Pajama parade on December 4 at noon
CANTON
Kindred and Crew - 110 Albany Turnpike
Collection bin located by the entrance
Collecting through December 21
EAST HARTFORD
Capi de Roma & Roma Restaurant - 358 Burnside Ave.
Collection bin located in entryway
Receive 10% off your order with pajama donation
GLASTONBURY
Bright Horizons - 22 Village Place
Collection bin located in front vestibule
Evolved Nutrition - 345 New London Tpk Suite 333
Collection bin located inside testablishment
$2 off your order with pajama donation
Glazed Pottery - 60 Hebron Ave
Collection bin will be located on the second floor
Hair Today Salon - 2844 Main Street
Collection bin located in waiting area
Killiam and Bassette Farmstead - 1098 Main Street (South Glastonbury)
Collection box next to register
Liquid Nirvana - 2333 Main Street
Collection bin inside establishment
Receive $1 coupon for pajama donations
Margaret Wilcox Real Estate - 212 New London Tpk Unit C
Collection bin in the main lobby
Rooftop 120 - 120 Hebron Ave
Collection bin will be in upstairs lobby
Seed Bagel Shop - 76 Commerce Street
Collection bin will be located outside under the overhang during business hours
Square Peg Pizzaria - 1001 Hebron Ave
Collection box inside establishment
Receive a $5 token for future orders for pajama donations
Wild Birds Unlimited - 2848A Main Street
Collection bin inside store by register
$1 off coupon for pajama donations
99 Restaurants - 3025 Main Street
Starting Nov 1
Collection bin located next to hostess stand
HAMPTON
New England Center for Hearing and Rehabilitation (NECHEAR) - 354 Hartford Tpk
Collection bin located next to bench when you open the main door
MANCHESTER
Royal Ice Cream - 27 Warren Street
Collection bin located inside establishment
Andi’s Pizzaria - 290-B Broad Street
Collection box located inside establishment
Collecting through December 21
MILFORD
Water’s Edge Deli & Catering - 1546 New Haven Ave
NEW BRITAIN
Compass Wellness Center - 14 Vine Street
Collection bin located in the main waiting room
NEWINGTON
S.K. Lavery Appliance Store - 2547 Berlin Turnpike
Collection box located inside establishment
OLD SAYBROOK
Clearwater Counseling & Coaching - 929 Boston Post Road
Collection bin is located in waiting room
PORTLAND
Portland Dental Care - Dr Peter Gletzakos - 595 Main Street
Drop off box in the children’s waiting room
Owen’s Emporium - 283 Main Street
Collection bin located inside establishment
SOUTH WINDSOR
Flow Tech Inc - 10 Bidwell road
Collection bin located in front foyer
Drop offs only during business hours between 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Integrated Rehabilitation Services - 15 Morgan Farms Drive
Collection bin in front waiting room
STAFFORD SPRINGS
Willington Nameplate - 11 Middle River Drive
Collection box in main office vestibule
WEST HARTFORD
F45 Training - 31 Crossroads Plaza
Collection bin located in
WETHERSFIELD
ProHealth - Dr Candra Smith-Slatas & Dr Sherry Banack - 1331 Silas Deane Highway
Collection box located in waiting room on second floor
Vito’s Pizzaria & Restaurant - 673 Silas Deane Highway
Collection box located inside establishment
