Immokalee teachers collect pillows, blankets for students in need

IMMOKALEE, Fla. Pinecrest Elementary School students without a basic but overlooked necessity — a pillow to sleep on at night — are getting help thanks to a group of teachers.

The “Pillow Project,” an initiative the teachers started last month, is providing the ultimate Valentine’s Day surprise — enough pillows, blankets, pillowcases and sleeping bags for every student.

“We take it for granted that we have pillows to sleep on or blankets to cover ourselves with and a lot of these students don’t,” said Dylan Opper, a science instructional coach at the school. “They use sweatshirts to sleep on or sleep on their hands and you think, ‘No one does that.'”

Those who wish to help can click on the Amazon wish list or Ikea website. You can also call the school at 239-377-8000.