To help lift the spirits of children suffering chronic illness in hospitals this holiday season, realtor Mara Navaretta of Woodbury has aligned with the Massapequa Park-based nonprofit The Ashley Wade Foundation to participate in its Jake’s Jammies pajama drive.
Navaretta’s Syosset-based Homes By Mara is collecting store bought pajamas for children ages 1 through 21, through Dec. 20. Donations for Jake’s Jammies can be dropped off daily between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Homes By Mara’s collection box at its office at 567 Jericho Tpke., Suite 205 in Syosset. All new pajamas collected will be dropped off and distributed to children braving chronic illness at area hospitals before Christmas Day.
Getting a jumpstart on its Jake’s Jammies Drive, Navaretta and several of her agents have already donated newly bought pajamas for the drive and are hoping that others will join in their effort.
“As a community business, I believe it is important that we all pitch in to support others in need,” said Navaretta, whose agency regularly makes donations to such charities as Children’s Brain Tumor Foundation and has sponsored toy and coat drives over the last few years. “Being a mother, I cannot help but feel for the many children braving chronic illness who are spending the holidays in the hospital and their courageous families who remain so strong and supportive of them. It is with great pride that we at Homes By Mara participate this year in Jake’s Jammies and that we encourage others to join us in donating for this heartfelt cause. Through our pajama collection, we can bring some comfort and added holiday cheer to these children and let them know that we are thinking of and support them this holiday season.”
Established in 2015, Jake’s Jammies was founded by Ashley Wade of The Ashley Wade Foundation in loving memory of 2-year-old Jake Matthew Staniszewski, who lost his battle with cancer in 2014. For more information about Jake’s Jammies, visit www.ashleywadefoundation.org/jakesjammies.html.
The Ashley Wade Foundation was founded by Massapequa Park’s Ashley Wade after she was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2010. The organization is dedicated to enriching the lives of children suffering from chronic illness. For more information about the Ashley Wade Foundation, visit www.ashleywadefoundation.org/.
