Santa came early to East Side Elementary Friday as representatives from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee made their annual delivery of pajamas for students at the school. The big white bus the group used for their sleigh pulled up to the school this afternoon with 600 pairs of pajamas for the children. That is enough for every child at the school.
The pajamas will be distributed to the children to wear on Polar Express Day that will be held on Monday, Dec. 18. The special day allows children to wear their pajamas to school, drink hot chocolate and watch the movie Polar Express.
This is the third year BlueCross and Blue Shield has taken care of pajamas for children at East Side and it has been a welcomed early Christmas present.
"The school started Polar Express Day several years ago and found that many children did not have pajamas to wear for the special day,” said Rob Shelsky, a counselor at East Side Elementary. “It is just wonderful that partners in the community recognize a need and step in to fill the void.”
"We are super appreciative and the kids are grateful for these gifts,” commented Saraya Karimi, a teacher at East Side Elementary. “It will just melt your heart watching them open the packages with the pajamas inside and they are so proud to wear them on Polar Express Day.” She added, “It is literally the best day of the year!”
BlueCross and BlueShield also collect pajamas for Hardy Elementary and Clifton Hills Elementary and will also deliver enough pajamas for each child at those schools. “We were so excited to deliver these pajamas today for the children,” said Alison Sexter, with corporate communications for BlueCross and BlueShield as their Christmas sleigh moved on to its next stop with packages of PJs for good little girls and boys.