Only 28 pairs away from their goal, students at Gulf Shores Elementary School are nearing the end of their pajama drive to benefit a local women and children's shelter in Robertsdale.

Lindsay Taylor, teacher, said the fifth-graders involved with the project are all members of the school's Kiwanis Club, a worldwide service club.
"We've done this for years. Last year, we collected 199 so we want to have at least 200 this year," Taylor said. "The pajamas go to children in any situation, whether that be shelters, foster care or any position where they might not have something with them."

Taylor said the drive is also a partnership with Scholastic, and the corporation matches every donated pair of pajamas with a book.

"I heard about this program years ago and thought it was great. I love that it is a meaningful program, and the kids can also be helped through Scholastic," Taylor said. "The school I taught at before was in an area where many kids were in need of this kind of thing. I saw children every day that could have benefitted from things like this."

As for her students, Taylor said they love participating in the drive each year.
"Once they learn all about it, they really take it to heart and think about the kids that are not fortunate as them," Taylor said. "It gives them a heart for helping others, and they love the thought of helping other kids their age who may be in need."

While the students are inching closer to their goal, Taylor said they are still need of approximately 28 pairs of pajamas to break their goal but would love to receive even more if possible.

"We have a variety. Some have characters, and some are plain. Right now, we have the least newborn and plus-size pajamas, so we would love to get more of those sizes" Taylor said. "Our current donation spot is the women and children's shelter in Robertsdale, and last year they were so overwhelmed with the kindness from our school and the children."

If interested in donating to the pajama drive, drop off new, never-worn pajamas to the Gulf Shores Elementary School front office before Friday, Dec. 8.