7/30/15

PAJAMA PARTY - our Fall Clothing Drive




If your church group, civic organization, senior center, neighborhood, or circle of friends love to give back to the community, please invite them to have a Pajama Party for Love Thy Baby!




Hosting a Pajama Party event is easy and there are volunteers who can help!  

1.  Schedule the event - discuss with the president, program chair, etc. for your organization to select a date where membership attendance will be good.  If you are hosting a smaller party at your home, just pick a day when you know that your friends are available.

2.  Send out information ahead of time outlining who, what, when, where, and why!  On request, Kay Stephenson can customize the graphic above for your group so they can post it on their website or send it out in an email to members. Be sure to communicate the items we need and the sizes.  Offer to do the shopping for those who are not able (ie. accept cash donations).

  • Sleepers in size Newborn or 0-3 months (we need about 25% NB and 75% 3 months)
  • Gowns in size Newborn or 0-3 months (same mix)
  • Pajama sets in size Newborn or 0-3 months (same mix)
  • Socks in size 0-6 months
  • NOTE on sizes:  Newborn sizes usually only fit up to 7 lbs so these go to the NICU and we send 0-3 month size to the regular nursery.  We want these sleepers to fit the baby for at least 3 months after they are born.  We do not generally need preemie sizes since we custom make the smaller garments (but it is okay if you receive some.)
 3.  To host the Pajama Party, you will need:
  • Table decorations - use any baby shower theme or just set handmade baby items made by our volunteers (These can be arranged for in advance, but please do not wait until the last minute as selection on hand may be limited.  We now have a travel display board that can be checked out for the week - see Katherine Thompson.) 
  • Brochures and business cards for LTB - These are available in our storage cabinet at the church during our weekly and monthly meetings
  • Something to collect and/or transport the donations (laundry basket, bassinet or pack and play work nicely for collection, boxes and trash bags are good for transportation)
  • Jar to collect cash donations  (Note that all donations received at a Pajama Party will be used to purchase sleepers and socks) 
Do not worry if you receive items that are the wrong sizes or items that are not on our wish list (such as blankets, onesies, diapers, bottles).  We will find a home for these at one of our agencies, so accept them joyfully!!! Our focus is on collecting sleeping garments for newborns but we love all donations and all donors!
4.  After the Pajama Party
  • Turn in items collected and cash/checks received to Kay Stephenson.  It is helpful if you are able to include a detailed inventory.
  • THANK the participants!  For organizations, you can request a thank you note to be sent out by Cindy Day or you can write it yourself.  For close friends, it is best if the thank you note comes from you!
  • If anyone specifically asks for a tax receipt, Cindy Day can prepare and mail one after the party, but you will need to collect the following information for her:  Name, address, and list of items donated (or amount of cash given).  We do not need a value, that is their responsibility to determine.

For additional information, please talk to any member of the operating committee or send an email to lovethybaby@LTNlovethyneighbor.org.