Estes Elementary School teacher Krystal Williams is getting in the Christmas spirit now that the school’s first shipment of holiday-themed pajamas arrived. Donations are now being accepted for the drive to gift every student a new set of PJs.
The annual event to purchase matching pajamas for all of the students to wear on the last Friday before winter break is something that makes her emotional – even with her own family preparations for the holiday season.
The event started 5 years ago with substitute Gary Griffin asking what could be done for students.
“We started small with the students who received a weekend food bag and targeted them,” she said. “Through Facebook posts, friends, and people at church, we purchased enough for those 50 students.”
This will be the 4th year for the entire student population to receive pajamas. The faculty and staff can purchase matching pajamas so that everyone can wear them for the culminating event. Williams said she used to worry that the older students would not want to participate in wearing the same pajamas that the other students did, but they all showed up in them.
“The last Friday we do a sing-a-long, games, and tell Christmas stories,” Williams said. “The principal dresses up … it’s a lot of fun.”
Not even the pandemic could stop each student from receiving pajamas, as Williams said her dad dressed up as Santa and they passed out the clothing as the students drove by the school that year.
“We just had Red Ribbon week and one of the days was to wear pajamas,” she said. “Kids were wearing the PJs from previous years.”
With around 500 sets of pajamas needed — not including for the staff — Williams relies on community outreach and participation.
“We received a grant from First Christian Church of Owensboro for $2,000 which allowed us to make this first purchase,” she said.
Any extra donations will go toward books and fuzzy socks to include with the gift.
For those interested in donating, $15 usually covers a pair of pajamas for the students, though any amount can be given. Williams asks that cash or checks be dropped off or mailed to Estes Elementary School with the attention of Williams. The address is 1675 Leitchfield Road, Owensboro, KY 42303.
