A labor of love, one pair of pajamas at a time

Kari Pugh, The Virginian-Pilot
·3 min read

Opening matching pajamas on Christmas Eve is a Tucker family tradition. But in 2008 when her three children were little, they asked mom Erika Tucker if they could open one more, too.

“They wanted to open the latest video game not some dumb pair of pajamas,” Tucker said.

Hoping to impart a lesson, Tucker went out into the Virginia Beach community and asked for donations of new pajamas that year. She received 250 pairs and worked with a Hampton Roads school to distribute them to children in need.

From there, a new family tradition was born, one that now helps thousands of children each Christmas season.

Last year, the Tuckers’ nonprofit, Pajama Jams, collected nearly 2,500 sets of pajamas, both across Hampton Roads and in Wilmington, where the military family now lives.

Her children – 11, 20 and 21 – help with the project as it grows each year while the community has continued to step up with pajama drives, sponsorships and financial support. Last year, when the Tuckers moved to Wilmington, they started a Pajama Jams chapter there, too, collecting more than 1,000 pairs. Over the last 14 years, Pajama Jams has benefitted more than 14,000 children.

“It’s been fulfilling,” Tucker said. “We come across kids who’ve never had pajamas and some who didn’t even know what pajamas are.”

Tucker has also made a point “to get children who never go without” involved, encouraging Pajama Jams Clubs and other fun incentives in Hampton Roads schools.

“My hope is that it will continue to expand,” she said. “Now that my two oldest kids are off to college, I have more time to devote.”

The nonprofit works with schools and other community groups to distribute the pajamas at area schools just before Christmas.

“The school brings in a class at a time and we get to help them pick out pajamas. It’s a real special little moment we get to connect with these kids,” Tucker said.

The 14th annual Pajama Jams holiday pajama drive gets underway Nov. 7 and continues through Dec. 9, with several events and drop-off locations across Hampton Roads.

How to help

  • Groups and individuals can also take the Pajama Pledge by collecting pajamas and bringing them to one of many seasonal drop off locations. Donors may take the pledge by registering online at pajamajams.org/how-you-can-help/take-the-pajama-pledge/

  • Make a monetary donation at www.pajamajams.org the funds collected will help raise revenues that will facilitate getting more much needed help to children in need throughout the Commonwealth and Cape Fear areas.

  • Donate pajamas by using the group’s Amazon Wishlist, www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3GEAAF4N8K0CT/?ref_=lol_ov_le

  • Companies may sponsor and collect both cash donations and or pajamas from employees, customers and clients.

PAJAMA COLLECTION SPONSORS AND DROP-OFF LOCATIONS:

  • Whole Foods Market, 1800 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach

  • Verian Realty, 3101 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach

  • MOCA, 2200 Parks Ave., Virginia Beach

  • Bamboo Institute of Yoga, 2861 Lynnhaven Drive, Suite 108, in the Marina Shores Shoppes Virginia Beach

  • Inlet Fitness 2101 W. Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach

  • Music in Motion Dance Studio, 629 N. Lynnhaven Road, Virginia Beach

  • Rosemont Chiropractic, 397 Little Neck Road, #108, Virginia Beach

  • Running Etc., 1940 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, VA and 1707 Colley Ave. Norfolk

Kari Pugh, kari.pugh@virginiamedia.com