Two North Bay family-oriented agencies are getting a boost from a local resident. Michelle Banks is trying to get a lot of warm pajamas to Low Income People Involvement in Nipissing and the Nipissing Transition House. Banks picked the Transition House as one of the beneficiaries because it runs into a lot of unexpected needs. “Sometimes when kids end up at Nipissing Transition House they leave their homes with only the clothes on their backs,” said Banks. “I thought it would be a perfect idea to have a pair of warm pajamas that could bring them a little joy during a difficult time in their life.”
Banks came up with the idea to hold the local drive following an air force posting in upper New York with her husband. The school her son attended in the U.S. community held an annual pajama drive which the public contributed to and was very well received by the community. Banks thought about the idea for some time and decided to move forward with it this year. She’s set up a bin in her Nipissing University office where people can drop off the PJs. The box has already been filled but Banks says more pajamas are always welcome because the need is always there.
She hopes to collect the clothing until December 20th or the 21st so there’s enough time to hand over the PJs to LIPI and Nipissing Transition House in time for Christmas. Banks’ office is in room A217 at the university or people can call her at 474-3450 extension 4107 to arrange for their drop off.