Children’s Book is First National Initiative Together
After an undefeated season with University of Connecticut that culminated with a National Championship and being drafted by the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, Renee Montgomery has been named a National Spokesperson and “GUARDian of Dreams” for the Pajama Program. In her role she will work on national initiatives designed to help children in unsettled and vulnerable circumstances feel comforted and safe at bedtime.
Renee will be featured in a special story written by veteran children’s author and illustrator, Amye Rosenberg, as both the book’s narrator and a featured character. “The book will reflect Pajama Program’s philosophy and mission that all children should go to bed feeling safe, warm and loved — and that bedtime can be fun!” commented Rosenberg.
Renee Montgomery, a senior at the University of Connecticut, has been chosen as the nation’s top collegiate female athlete in basketball. The honor was based on the results of national balloting among 1,000 NCAA member schools as part of the Collegiate Women Sports Awards program, now in its 33rd year. Montgomery’s victory will earn her the 2009 Honda Sports Award, given annually to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports, along with automatic nomination for Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year. Renee also received both the Big East Sportsmanship Award and the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award and was a WBCA, USBWA, and AP First Team All-American.
“I am honored to join the Pajama Program as the GUARDian of Dreams. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for children, and now, by being a part of the program, I am able to do what I love, and also have a positive influence on children’s lives. I was always taught to dream big, and now I have the opportunity to help other children do the same,” said Montgomery.
The Pajama Program provides new pajamas and new books to children in need, many who are waiting and hoping to be adopted. Thousands of the children served by the Program live in orphanages, group homes and shelters and are shuffled often between temporary living facilities. Many of them have been abused or abandoned, and have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a mother or father tuck them in at bedtime and read to them. Since 2001 we have provided more than 350,000 pajamas and 140,000 books to children in need nationwide. For more www.pajamaprogram.org.
Source: Pajama Program
Web Site: http://www.pajamaprogram.org/
