At a recent All-School Assembly, Alessandra Cardamone ’27 shared the story behind The J.A.R. Project, a nonprofit she co-founded with her cousin and sister to bring love, hope, and perseverance to children and teens living with chronic illness or facing hardships.
The project was inspired by Alessandra’s uncle, who battled cancer, and her sister, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age six. “She was in the hospital for almost two weeks, and one of her favorite gifts was a new pair of cozy pajamas because it got her out of the hospital gown,” Alessandra explained. “After watching my Uncle John battle cancer, I knew I wanted to do something to help uplift others fighting cancer, chronic life-altering illnesses, and other hardships.”
Named for her uncle’s initials, The J.A.R. Project collects new pajamas through an Amazon Wishlist and community drives. Each pair is carefully wrapped and delivered to hospitals. “A nurse at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital shared that PJ's are the number one item on most of the children's wish lists, so [we] agreed that pajamas would be the best way to spread a little love and hope,” Alessandra said.
Through this experience, Alessandra’s understanding of giving back has deepened. “I used to think that giving back had to be a big gesture to make a difference,” she said. “After starting The J.A.R. Project, I learned that small acts of kindness can make a big impact on positively impacting someone’s day. While having new cozy pajamas is something most of us might take for granted, for the children who are battling cancer or victims of abuse and neglect, we are letting them know they are not alone and that they are seen and supported.”
Alessandra hopes to partner with pajama brands to raise awareness, donate overstock, and eventually launch a custom pajama line. In the meantime, she encourages others to donate or host a pajama drive. All donated pajamas must be new, as children in hospitals may have compromised immune systems.
Click here to follow The J.A.R. Project on Instagram.
The J.A.R. Project is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and all donations are tax-deductible.
