Zoephia Decker-Knealing partnering with Pajama Program to make a difference
Zoephia Decker-Knealing placed third runner-up in the princess age division at this year's Arizona State Pageant and will be competing for the All-American Princess title this coming November at our National Pageant. As a part of National American Miss Zoephia has caught the community involvement bug and decided to partner with an amazing organization called the Pajama Program.
The Pajama Program was founded to help children who have been removed from their homes, and who are often shuffled between temporary homes. The pajamas have come to represent people who care, and they offer security and love for a child abandoned in a shelter or waiting for a foster home.
As a spunky five and a half year-old Zoephia got started by viewing the Pajama Program website, learned what was required to host a drive and has been contacting friends, family and community members in her neighborhood. She made a goal of collecting 250 books and 250 pajamas by October and the response to Zoephia's hard work has been GREAT! So much so, that some have offered to host larger events like a classic car show for the purpose of collecting donations.
The Arizona Chapter of the Pajama Program was started in 2007 and has 37 Receiving Organizations throughout the state. To date, the program has collected 23,278 pairs of pajamas and 11,646 books because of the generosity of people like Zoephia and her family.
The President of the Arizona Chapter, Lucia Wheele, recently e-mailed the Decker-Knealing family after hearing about all of their wonderful work!
"Your daughter seems to be an amazing young lady, wanting to serve the community at such a young age," Lucia said. "We are getting ready for what we call Danger Season, the time we really need help in giving the children comfort and warmth in the way of new pajamas and new books, so your drive is right on target. Your gifts will mean a lot to them."
Click here to learn more about the Pajama Program
The Pajama Program was founded to help children who have been removed from their homes, and who are often shuffled between temporary homes. The pajamas have come to represent people who care, and they offer security and love for a child abandoned in a shelter or waiting for a foster home.
As a spunky five and a half year-old Zoephia got started by viewing the Pajama Program website, learned what was required to host a drive and has been contacting friends, family and community members in her neighborhood. She made a goal of collecting 250 books and 250 pajamas by October and the response to Zoephia's hard work has been GREAT! So much so, that some have offered to host larger events like a classic car show for the purpose of collecting donations.
The Arizona Chapter of the Pajama Program was started in 2007 and has 37 Receiving Organizations throughout the state. To date, the program has collected 23,278 pairs of pajamas and 11,646 books because of the generosity of people like Zoephia and her family.
The President of the Arizona Chapter, Lucia Wheele, recently e-mailed the Decker-Knealing family after hearing about all of their wonderful work!
"Your daughter seems to be an amazing young lady, wanting to serve the community at such a young age," Lucia said. "We are getting ready for what we call Danger Season, the time we really need help in giving the children comfort and warmth in the way of new pajamas and new books, so your drive is right on target. Your gifts will mean a lot to them."
Click here to learn more about the Pajama Program