Queen’s School Organizes Pajama Donation Drive for Local Children in Need
Students, parents, and faculty at St. Kevin Catholic Academy in Queens, New York, are joining forces to collect pajamas for local children who need them. The school is partnering with The Pajama Program, a nonprofit organization, along with local Girl Scout troops to ensure that children aged 12 and under receive new sleepwear, ranging from sizes for newborns up to children’s large.
Eliana Montalvo, the event coordinator for the Academy Parent Association at St. Kevin, shared how meaningful this effort is. “Our kids are really fortunate to attend a Catholic school. Many of our older kids understand how important it is to give back,” she said.
This initiative not only addresses the need for warm pajamas in shelters but also teaches students the values of empathy and generosity. Parents have been encouraged to participate by spreading the word beyond the school community through letters sent home with the students.
Montalvo explained, “We’re simply collecting pajamas. We love that this initiative helps kids right in our own community.” So far, the school has gathered around 50 sets of pajamas.
Allison Murphy, principal of St. Kevin, praised the involvement of parents, stating, “We are truly blessed to have such an active parent association. They are always seeking ways to support not only our children but also those in need outside the school.”
Sadly, some kids in the community don’t have access to proper sleepwear and may even have to sleep in the same clothes they wore during the day. Licensed professional counselor Alexis Abate pointed out that this lack of fresh pajamas can increase feelings of anxiety and affect children’s overall well-being.
She emphasized, "Clean pajamas can significantly improve a child’s comfort and sleep quality. Having pajamas represents safety, warmth, and care."
In an effort to broaden support for this cause, the parent association has set up an Amazon wishlist for those interested in donating. Pajamas ordered through this list will be sent directly to the school, where they will be distributed to children in need.
The pajama collection will continue through the end of November, inviting both local and national donations to help ensure every child has a comfortable night’s sleep.
