Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive FAQs 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
BASICS
What is Pajama Program and what does the organization do?
See Our Story and learn How We Help Children Thrive.
Who are the pajamas and books helping?
The pajamas and books are tools for comforting bedtime routines for children facing adversity throughout the country. These children, facing challenges such as housing instability and low family income, are particularly vulnerable when it is time for them to go to bed. Every night in America, too many children do not get the sleep they need, compromising their health, school performance, and emotional well-being. Healthy sleep is crucial for the development of young brains and bodies, significantly impacting their overall health and well-being. A comforting bedtime routine helps children get the healthy sleep they need to thrive.
Providing these bedtime basics—a cozy pair of pajamas and an inspiring storybook—sets the stage for a good night’s rest.
What is a Pajama Partner?
A Pajama Partner is a licensed shelter, group home, foster care agency, or other community-based organization supporting children facing adversity. Pajama Partners are based in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The pajamas you and your students collect will benefit the children under the care of a Pajama Partner.
REGISTERING AND REPORTING
How do I register for the Drive?
If you participated last year, in 2023: You received an email inviting you to register early. Please follow directions in that email and contact us if you participated last year but have not received an email.
If you have never participated in the Drive: You may have received a flyer or seen a social media post with a link to the main 2024 Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive webpage. On that main page, you should fill out the registration form to register.
ALL PARTICIPANTS should make sure to SAVE THEIR REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION EMAIL
If you did not participate last year but have participated in the Drive before 2023: Visit the 2024 Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive webpage and fill out the registration form completely.
ALL PARTICIPANTS should make sure to SAVE THEIR REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION EMAIL.
How do I report my pajama collection totals?
You will need your REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION EMAIL to report your donation.
After your drive is over please click the REPORT LINK in your REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION EMAIL. In order for us to match your pajamas with books, you must use your unique reporting link in your registration confirmation email. Please fill out the report form completely. Once you submit your report form, a Pajama Program representative will reach out and provide you with contact information for one of our Pajama Partners in your area.
I can’t find my registration confirmation email! What do I do now?
Pajama Program will send all participants reminder emails containing the information needed to report your pajama collection. If you lost those as well, please reach out to us at danny@pajamaprogram.org.
COLLECTING PAJAMAS
Do the pajamas have to be new?
Yes. For health and safety, federal guidelines require that pajamas must be new.
What kinds of pajamas should I collect?
Pajama Program collects new pajamas, only. We believe all children are entitled to something of their very own, which is why we do not accept used or even gently used items. Pajamas should be a complete set—a top and matching bottom, or a onesie (please refrain from donating nightshirts or nightgowns).
Pajamas for all seasons, but especially warm, cozy ones at this time of year are preferred. We recommend avoiding religiously themed pajamas (e.g., Christmas-themed pajamas), as the child who receives the pajamas may have differing beliefs and will wear them beyond the holiday season as well.
What pajama sizes are needed most?
At this time, Pajama Program accepts new pajamas for children ages 0-12. (Some children wear adult sizes.)
TRANSPORTING PAJAMAS
Will someone come to pick up my pajama collection?
Educators are responsible for managing the transportation of their pajama collection. After a Pajama Program representative provides contact information for a Pajama Partner, feel free to reach out to discuss the logistics of transporting/dropping off your collected materials.
Where do I send my pajama collection?
Once you complete your Drive and use your unique REPORT LINK to let us know about your pajama totals, you will be connected with a Pajama Program representative. This representative will connect your with a Pajama Partner in your area.
Can I drop off my Pajama Program donation or ship it?
See the answer to “Where do I send my pajama collection?” above.
GENERAL
The FAQs page does not answer my question or address my concern. Who can I reach out to for further information?
If the FAQs page does not answer your question or address your concern, you may email your questions to development@pajamaprogram.org.
I sent a question to Pajama Program but I haven’t heard from anyone.
Since we typically work with 1,000 or more classrooms around the nation during this drive, our responses may be delayed. We deeply appreciate your patience as our staff works to get back to you as soon as possible. If more than 14 or more days have passed without a response, we encourage you to send a follow up email.
How do we make sure books will be donated to Pajama Program by Scholastic?
Pajama Program will send a matching set of Scholastic books from their national distribution center in the months after the completion of the Drive. No action is needed from educators or students for the children of Pajama Program to receive books to match their pajamas.