As moms, we know what it’s like when our kids don’t get enough rest—they can be cranky, lack energy, and can’t make it through the day. But imagine if this was happening all the time. Kids with family or housing instability and other challenges often don’t get the recommended amount of Z’s (9-13 hours). That’s where The Pajama Program can help—this national nonprofit organization located in New Jersey aims to promote a good night’s sleep for every kid. They help kids in need by providing pajamas, books, and educational tools for a healthy sleep every night so all children can get the energy, focus, and resilience they need. Read more about what they do and how you can help this charity program with locations in New Jersey. (Featured photo credit: Pajama Program)
Sleep as a superpower
The Pajama Program provides the essentials for a good night’s sleep, like new pajamas, plushies, and books, for over 350,000 children in the United States annually. They also have health education programs, teaching kids how a bedtime routine can set them up for success into adulthood, and offer virtual classes in Bedtime READY for Families, a program for caregivers at partner schools and community organizations. The New Jersey Chapter in Middletown collects and distributes new pajamas and books to Pajama Partners throughout 21 counties in the Garden State. The New Jersey Chapter recently received over 4,000 book donations from an anonymous donor and is currently at work to distribute them to those in need.
Here’s how you can help
The original Pajama Program signature program is a national distribution effort that has provided more than 8 million new pajamas and storybooks to children across the United States. More than 750 community-based Pajama Partners (schools, homeless shelters, foster care agencies, and domestic violence shelters) receive pajamas and storybook donations nationwide. To support the Pajama Program and provide new pajamas, storybooks, and teddy bears to children, as well as sleep health education to students and adults, you can donate here. Or, if you want to start a collection of new pajamas or book donations, you can fill out this form. Anyone interested in joining the New Jersey team of volunteers can contact Denise at [email protected]. The New Jersey drop-off locations are in Hunterdon County with Susan Backer, Coldwell Banker (call ahead) at 908-500-1939 or Monmouth County at the NJ Pajama Program Volunteer Center in Poricy Park at 345 Oak Hill Road, Red Bank, NJ 07701 or call 732-747-6144.
Visit their website, Instagram, and Facebook to learn more about the Pajama Program.
Pajama Program
P.O. Box 36
Middletown, NJ 07748
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