By Dan Murphy
In these final few days before Christmas, one of the most heartwarming non profits in which you can make a donation, and a difference in someone’s life, is the Pajama Program, which raises funds to give underpriviledged kids a pair of PJ’s and a book to read at night. (Pajamaprogram.org).
The founder of this worthy organization is Westchester native Genevieve Piturro. Piturro was a successful television marketing executive until she dramatically changed the direction of her life when she founded the hugely successful national non-profit, Pajama Program. Almost twenty years later, Genevieve’s Pajama Program has delivered 7 Million magical gifts of new pajamas and new books to children throughout the US.
After starting in Westchester, and in Yonkers where Piturro was born and raised, the Pajama Program now has 63 chapters across the country, thanks in part to an appearance on Oprah back in 2007, which catapulted Pajama Program into everyone’s living rooms and American’s hearts.
“It’s getting cold and we would love you to make a donation to the pajama program,” said Piturro during our recent interview. “A lot of people may not realize that yes pajamas are great for younger children, but just as important to a teenager who needs them. They also need the routine and the peace that comes at night with a good book and PJ’s.”
While still a consultant for the organization she founded, Genevieve is now a professional speaker, author, personal strategy coach and consultant, sharing life and leadership lessons she learned through her Pajama Program journey. Her book Purpose, Passion and Pajamas: How to Transform Your Life, Embrace the Human Connection and Lead with Meaning, was released in August 2020.
“Right now is the time to invest in yourself and that dream you’ve had on the backburner. If you can’t make a dramatic change in the New Year, use the slide method. Sliding your passion project into your life for even one hour a week will bring you hope and remind you that your dream can be a possibility sooner than you think,” said Pitturo.
During these turbulent times, Piturro’s book and mission inspires people to listen to their hearts. She strategizes with leaders, businesses, entrepreneurs and those searching for their true purpose on how to bring meaning not only into their own lives and careers, but to those around them. “Its about having the courage to rely on the human connection to be successful in our lives.
“I’m sharing what I learned in my 20 years at the Pajama Program in this book, and the life lessons that can apply to any business or any goal you have in life. You have to make that personal connection to people –and never give up.”
In the book, Pitturo explains how she went into debt in the early years of the Pajama Program, and after the stock market crash of 2008, wondered if she could raise the funds to make it a success. A turning point came when her van broke down filled with Pajama’s for victims of Hurricane Katrina, and how she relied on the kindness of strangers to carry on.
“Don’t give up on your purpose, and keep looking for your own ‘Pajama Program’. I share in my book how we can all connect with each other and form those teams to reach our goals. That’s how success grows in any business, and how I was able, through the many volunteers that I had in Yonkers and Westchester in the beginning, to grow into New York City and across the country. But you have to form those personal connections to reach your goals,” said Pitturo, who lives in Irvington with her husband, Demo DiMartile. “Its about giving back and connecting with each other, and helping people find their personal purpose.”
The book, now available on Amazon in print or Kindle, is a great read for the holidays. Now is also the best time to make a donation to PajamaProgram.org, and provide children, and teen agers, a book and some pajamas for the holidays.
Piturro connected with hundreds of Yonkers residents through Pajama Program. We met her on one of her many “stuff a bus” events in the City, and thank her for setting an example for all of us on how to help others.
Please visit www.GenevievePiturro.com for additional information.
