Fredericton real estate agent collects pajamas for children in need
A Fredericton real estate agent is working to help keep children in her area cozy this winter with the Pajama Project.
"It's a luxury item that not everyone can afford to go out and purchase,” said Samantha Wood, project coordinator.
There was a defining moment that led Wood to collect pajamas for children in need.
“It's not what they sleep in, a child can sleep in anything, it's those social moments like pajama days at school or sleepovers that really create this social divide,” she said.
Wood is working with local schools to get a sense of the need and to help with distribution.
"Of course there's bigger needs, there's food, and shelter and things like that, but this is just sort of a small piece to make a child feel special. So I think everyone feels that when we talk about a pair of pajamas, because it's comfortable, it's safe,” said Wood.
For every property she has sold since the summer, Wood has bought 10 pairs of pajamas.
"We have collected over 300 pairs of pajamas at the moment and donations are still coming in, so we're hoping that we're going to be able to fulfill the need that's out there.”
The project has become an office-wide effort, as Wood’s co-workers pack up PJs like Santa’s elves.
"Sam and I are both moms, and I was formerly a teacher, so I've seen first hand the need out there,” said Katie Akin, Wood’s co-worker.
“It's just so warming to be able to give that to a child.”
In addition to the pajamas, Wood has added one more item to each package to make them complete.
"I just really wanted to have a book included with the pajamas and we had to figure out a way to do it,” said Wood.
“Obviously, retail books aren't inexpensive and so we had to find a way. We were actually able to work out a deal with Scholastic books and Robert Munsch and so we'll be delivering a ‘Pyjama Day’ book by Robert Munsch.”
Wood hopes to deliver the pajama packages to schools in the capital the last week before Christmas break. They will take donations up until that time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.