CRESTVIEW — Riverside Elementary School’s Pajama Drive organizers seek donations of new children’s sleepwear.
Each class is collecting pajamas for the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center, a not-for-profit agency that helps abused and neglected children in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Julie Hurst, the center’s CEO, said the organization appreciates the school’s efforts.
"It's really neat to see kids helping out other kids," she said.
The center presents an annual Christmas party for children it assists; that’s more than 600 kids this year, Hurst said.
"We make sure that every child that comes to the party leaves with a new pair of pajamas," she said. "Without the community's support, we wouldn't be able to do this."
Riverside’s collections have steadily risen since the school began the drive four years ago, teacher and donation coordinator Haley Kirby said.
"When we first started it, we only got around 50 pairs of pajamas," she said. "Last year, we got 165 pairs."
Twenty pajama sets have been donated so far, Kirby said. The drive ends Dec. 5.
WANT TO DONATE?
WHAT: The 4th Annual Pajama Drive
WHEN: Donate between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday near the school's front office. Deadline is Dec. 5.
WHERE: Riverside Elementary School, 3400 E. Redstone Ave., Crestview
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Riverside Elementary collecting pajamas for Children's Advocacy Center