There’s something to be said for kids going to bed Christmas Eve in a new pair of pajamas.
Every child should have that privileged, regardless of their parent’s financial status, according to MaryLou Robertson.
That was the motivation behind she and her children launching Langley’s Jammie Drive six years ago, and it’s what keeps them going today.
Robertson and her children – along with a handful of her teenagers’ friends – get together every winter to host a community-wide drive.
The new pajamas are donated to the Langley Christmas Bureau for distributions to families in need during the holiday season. Specifically they’re looking for PJs for toddlers through to teenagers.
It’s a real feel good, giving back project that resonated with her kids, Robertson said.
The highlight is sorting all the new pajamas by age and gender, then personally delivering them to the bureau and seeing how big an impact their efforts are going to make for kids in need.
The Jammie Drive begins Saturday, Dec. 8 at the Rivermen’s game. Last year, the junior A hockey team helped collect 65 pair of PJs, and are hoping to score more this year.
Then on Sunday, Dec. 9, the Jammie Drive team sets up at WalMart from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Again, last year they collected more than 200 pairs at the retailer, and Robertson hopes to get more this time around.
Then, to wrap up the drive, the Jammie squad will be at the Vancouver Giants game against Everett on Dec. 14.
The 2018 drive collected more than 600 pair of pajamas. This year, Robertson’s started late, but is optimist they can still collect a similar amount.
Donations can also be dropped off at the RCMP’s main detachment in Murrayville.