Pajamas for Bahamas

In early September, Hurricane Dorian had a devastating impact on the islands of the Bahamas as a Category 5 storm. Since the Paradise Elementary motto is “Respect for Self, Respect for Others, and Respect for the World Around Us,” facilitators and learners took a tragedy and turned it into a real-life lesson about helping others in need.

Paradise Elementary 6th graders initially had the idea to hold a “Pajamas for Bahamas” fundraiser to raise money for the Red Cross efforts in the Bahamas. Their 3rd, 4th and 5th grade teams also orchestrated a second fundraiser for their learners a week later. Anyone who donated any money (from a penny to larger sums) or made a card got to wear their pajamas to school on a chosen day. The response for each grade level was overwhelming—it became so much more than just wearing comfy clothes to school!

Overall, the grand total funds raised between the four grade levels was $873.35. Learners were so genuinely excited to give back to the people of the Bahamas that many of them brought in their own money from their allowances! Pequea Valley was extremely proud of their learners for truly showing empathy, compassion, and generosity for those desperately in need.