When Coach Karen Graves was hired by Marygrove to head up the Women’s Volleyball Program, in addition to creating an exceptional team of young volleyball players, she wanted to help the young women on her team understand what it means to contribute to the community in which they would most likely spend the next 3 to 4 years living. 

“I think it’s important that the girls get some volunteering experience and appreciate the opportunities given them, such as being able to afford college and play collegiate athletics,” said Graves.

“So, I was searching for different ideas. I have twin 2-year-old boys and we watch Sprout (a PBS channel). They advertise the Pajama Program, so I looked it up and decided that it was a great cause, and something we could organize pretty easily. We held a pajama drive on campus and will be giving the items to the organization on June 3.”

The girls set up a table from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Madame Cadillac building and each team member took shifts staffing the table. In addition to collecting new pajamas and books, they raised $40 and were able to purchase additional pajamas and books. Team captains, Megan Gohl, Shana Tooley, Shannon Pietruszka, and Elizabeth Lerczak helped organize, count, and box up all the items. Other members of the Marygrove Volleyball team involved are: Jalissa Favors, Felicia Kelsey, Marissa Shorter, Kathryn Lewis, Jaci Michetti, Ashley Turner, and Assistant Coach Michael Love.

The Pajama Program donates new pajamas and books to kids of all ages who mostly reside in foster homes and orphanages, and often go without basic items that many of us take for granted. Since many of these children have never known the comfort of being snuggled in their pajamas while listening to a story, this program aims to provide them with the pajamas and books so they can have those experiences.

For more information about the Marygrove Volleyball team and their volunteer project, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .