March 31, 2023

HAMILTON / ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Twin sisters from Hamilton who have collected more than 18,000 pairs of pajamas for children in need are the recipients of the 2023 Vern Applegate Community Service Award sponsored by the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton.

The Rotary Club presented the award to Lauren and Mackenzie Multari who formed Lala & Mimi’s Pajama Project to provide basic bedtime comfort to less fortunate children in New Jersey and beyond.

“We are honored to recognize Lauren and Mackenzie with this special award,” said Rotary Club President Kalpana Patel. “They have put smiles on the faces of kids for more than 12 years through their selfless acts of community service. They are wonderful role models.”

The sisters, now college-bound seniors at The Peddie School, began collecting and donating pajamas as kindergartners, asking for PJs for others instead of birthday party presents. They later established the non-profit Lala and Mimi’s Pajama Project, an initiative regularly supported by the Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton.

The award comes with a $500 donation. It is named for the late Vern Applegate, a former member of the Rotary Club who personified the Rotary ideal of “service above self.”

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Rotary Club of Robbinsville Hamilton President Kalpana Patel (center) flanked by Lauren (l) and Mackenzie (r) Multari, winners of the Vern Applegate Community Service Award.

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