The holiday season has arrived at the Elizabethtown College book store. Dec. 1, the College Store started the children’s pajamas and book drive. The store will be collecting new children’s pajamas and books to participate in the nonprofit Pajama Program, and donations made through the store will all go to local children in need this year. In order to participate in the drives, you can bring in a new set of children’s pajamas, donate new books or provide a $10 donation toward the purchase of these items. Anyone who donates one of these three things will receive a coupon to the College Store for 50 percent off any one regularly-priced clothing item. Donations will be handed out through agencies in the tri-county area of Lancaster, Dauphin and York counties, sometime shortly after the holidays.

Genevieve Piturro started the program this year. Piturro is a successful businesswoman who got the idea while volunteering at a shelter in Harlem, N.Y. She came up with this idea so children could experience what many other children enjoy during the holidays.

The program is set up to help children who are in need, and the donations will be given to children from abusive homes or children living in shelters. The initial goal for the program was to reach out and help about 500,000 children. Since its creation in 2011, the program has donated 511,599 new books and 891,808 new sets of pajamas.

Nancy Fink, the office manager of the College Store, who brought the idea to campus, said, during a fall planning meeting, that people “expressed the desire to try some service projects, like Dining Services and organizations have done—in keeping with the ‘Educate for Service’ motto.”

After hearing about the Pajama Program over a year ago, Fink explained, “It was agreed that with involving children and books, it was a good match for [the College] and might be a fun thing to try.”

The store also knew that it would be helpful to thank and motivate members of the campus community for their participation. As for the thank-you coupon from the College Store, it is good for 50 percent off of one regularly priced item. The coupon is offered because, Fink resaons, if students are willing to venture out, purchase pajamas and books and donate them, the store is willing to show their gratitude.

Students like the thought of helping out the community and giving the campus a way to interact with the community around the school.

Senior Ezra Minter is excited by the prospect of the drive and what it represents. “Giving back to the community is an awesome idea. I love when I have the opportunity to do good for others, it makes me feel like a better person,” Minter said.

The idea of giving back is typically present in everyone’s life during the holiday season, which usually raises everyone’s spirits.

“During the holidays, I always do things to help out in the community. The holidays make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside and want to help out the less privileged, and I would want to start something up like this program one day,” Minter added.

Of course, giving back is part of the holidays, so the opportunity is out there for all of us to help out the less privileged and taking that opportunity could brighten up the days of those who are less fortunate.

Junior Amy Bunting agreed with Minter, saying, “Giving back is an amazing idea during the holidays—it’s what it’s all about, and this program will help out so many children in one way or another.”

If you would like to help out, stop by the College Store or contact Nancy Fink at FINKN@etown.edu or 717-361-1382.

Donations are now being accepted through noon on Dec. 22, and the discount coupons can be used through May 31, 2012.