Date: May 11, 2010

Hofstra University to Sponsor Pajama Program Night @ CitiField

Organized by Senior Public Relations Students to Benefit Pajama Program

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Hofstra University will sponsor Pajama Program Night @ CitiField on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 for the New York Mets vs. the Philadelphia Phillies game at 7 p.m.  The night is a result of efforts made by a number of public relations students enrolled in PR107 (Campaigns). PR107 is a senior level course in which the students act as a public relations agency for a non-profit client. For the spring 2010 semester their client has been the Pajama Program, a non-profit organization that provides new pajamas and new books to children in need.

As part of Pajama Program night Hofstra has received a limited number of tickets to distribute to the current Hofstra community with a donation of two new pairs of children’s pajamas for the non-profit organization. With each donation the donor will receive one ticket to the game. There is a limit of two tickets per person. In a ceremony on the field before the game Hofstra University and Pajama Program will also be receiving the New York Mets Spirit Award, recognizing Pajama Program for their work providing pajamas to underprivileged children without permanent homes and Hofstra University for supporting the non-profit organization.

“We are so excited to join with the New York Mets at CitiField for a great night at the ballpark,” said Founder and Executive Director of Pajama Program Genevieve Piturro. “This is a great opportunity for people to learn about the Pajama Program and make a difference in a child’s life. Thanks to Hofstra University and their students for making this day happen!”

Since the students in the Public Relations 107 course started their relationship with Pajama Program they have helped publicize the program with an appearance on Good Morning America, a partnership with the Long Island Children’s Museum, and Pajama Program night @ CitiField.

“These students have worked hard all year in doing the best possible work for our non-profit client,” said Susan Mekrami, adjunct instructor of PR 107. “Connecting Pajama Program with Hofstra University and the New York Mets was no small feat and this marks the beginning of a successful public relations career for many of these students.

For more information on Pajama Program please visit www.pajamaprogram.org and for more information on Hofstra University please visit www.hofstra.edu .

About Hofstra University
Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students' interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.

About Pajama Program
Pajama Program is a non-profit organization that provides new pajamas and new books to children in need, many who are waiting and hoping to be adopted. Many of the children the organization serves have been abused or abandoned, and have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a mother or father tuck them in at night and read them a bedtime story. There are more than 500,000 children in the foster care in the United States, and more than 1 million children who are not living with their natural parents. These children have been through great upheaval and trauma. Pajama Program is contributing to a warmer, more loving bedtime and a supportive reading environment for these special children.