Valley-wide pajama drive for Clark County foster children runs Nov. 9 to Dec. 4 with nearly 40 drop-off boxes

What happened

An annual pajama drive for children in foster care across the Las Vegas valley begins Nov. 9, KTNV reported. Organizers Jenny Escobedo and Patricia Kennedy are working with Peggys Attic and Clark County Family Services to gather new pajamas for kids from infants to teens. The aim is to give these children new pajamas this Christmas.

According to KTNV, Escobedo said the effort brought in more than 1,000 pajamas last year. The goal this year is to double that number, and she told the station she thinks the drive could go past 2,000.

Why the drive focuses on foster children

Thousands of children in county care

Clark County Family Services estimates that about 3,600 children are in foster care in the county right now, KTNV reported. The department told the station that drives like this one help children feel seen and valued. It also said such drives take some of the financial pressure off foster and kinship caregivers.

Arriving with few belongings

Kennedy, who was once a foster parent, told KTNV that some children come into foster care with very little. Describing the children she took in, she said, "They came with a duffel bag and it was full of a couple of toys." She also recalled, "Maybe we had three pairs of boxers, one pair of socks."

Escobedo said pajamas give children something useful that lasts past the holiday. Children often receive toys and games, she told KTNV, but "now they have the pajamas that they can wear every day if they want or just for Christmas."

How to donate

Drop-off boxes around the valley

The drive runs from Nov. 9 through Dec. 4, according to KTNV. Organizers plan to set up nearly 40 drop-off boxes throughout the Las Vegas valley. That is an increase from 20 drop-off locations last year.

What to give

Only new pajamas are accepted, KTNV reported. Sizes should range from infant through teen, matching the ages of the children the drive serves.

Online wishlist option

Community members can also give through an Amazon wishlist, which ships pajamas straight to the organizers. A full list of drop-off sites, a QR code for the wishlist and more details are posted at ChristmasPJDrive.com, the station reported.

Where the pajamas go

The donated pajamas will be given out at the GIVE JOY Toy and Gift event that Clark County Family Services holds each year in mid-December, according to KTNV. Organizers are partnering with Peggys Attic and the county department on the drive, which is held every year. For more local volunteer and giving stories, see our community news section.

What to watch next

• The drive opens Nov. 9, with nearly 40 drop-off boxes planned around the Las Vegas valley.
• Donations close Dec. 4. Organizers have set a goal of more than 2,000 pajamas.
• Clark County Family Services will hand out the pajamas at its annual GIVE JOY Toy and Gift event in mid-December.