‘Tis the season to be jolly.

In spirit of the season, Tyrone Area Elementary School is joining Scholastic Books and the nationwide nonprofit organization Pajama Program to provide brand-new pajamas to children living in homeless shelters.  

For every pair of new pajamas the school collects, Scholastic will donate a brand-new book to help these children have a warm and cozy bedtime this Christmas season.

“The reading team discovered that this program existed from one of the Scholastic book club catalogs we received last year. After some research, we thought this would be a great addition to our annual Holiday Literacy partnership,” said Sara Jackson, Reading Specialist at Tyrone Area Elementary School.

Since 2009, classrooms across the country have donated nearly 350,000 pairs of new pajamas to kids in need. Scholastic Reading Club has matched those numbers with almost 700,000 new books. For more information on the national program watch the video on this page.

Last year, students at Tyrone Elementary collected 182 pairs of pajamas for children in need. This year, a goal of 200 pairs of pajamas has been set. The school hopes to help the Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive reach even more needy kids with pajamas and books.

“We were definitely surprised to have such a great result from last year’s drive, especially since it was so new. Many of our own local families have great needs as well and we hope to make more community connections and help benefit more local families in the coming years. We also received several donations from community people and organizations who learned about the pajama drive but didn’t necessarily have a student attending here,” said Jackson.

Donations will be accepted throughout the week of December 7th-11th. Students can drop off their new jammies in the main lobby of the Tyrone Elementary School each morning upon arrival at school.

If students or staff at the high school would like to participate, donations can also be dropped off at the Eagle Eye newsroom (room 230).

Pajamas are needed in all sizes from newborn to adult. The pajamas must be brand new and must also be complete sets or nightgowns.

For those who prefer, monetary donations to the program will also be accepted.

Many children are eager to participate in this year’s drive because of the great feeling that comes with helping kids like them.

“One time, my mom helped out a lady that needed stuff. My mom did it because it made her feel good to help other people that don’t have things like electronics and things we might have. I think it’s nice that we get to help other kids have something warm,” said Kaleb, grade 4.

Other children are looking forward to the school-wide pajama party at the end of the Great Bedtime Story Pajama Drive.

Students will be able to wear their pajamas to school on Monday, December 21st. Every student will also receive their own free book and a holiday read-aloud assembly courtesy of the TAES PTO and the Reading Team.

“I am excited about the pajama party. My favorite part is wearing my comfy clothes all day,” said Ethan, grade 3.

“My favorite part is getting our own book. It makes me feel good when we can help others have nice things too,” said Nathaniel, grade 4.