As winter draws near, many New Zealanders are bracing themselves for the cold months ahead. However, for thousands of children living in poverty and hardship, staying warm during winter is a luxury they simply can’t afford.
The Kindness Collective’s PJ Project aims to provide warmth and comfort to Kiwi kids in need. From 1 May to 31 July, the Kindness Collective is reaching out to the public for donations to supply essential winter wear to children. With each $10 donation, they will provide a brand-new set of warm pyjamas, ensuring that no child has to endure the harsh winter nights without proper clothing.
The kindness doesn’t stop there though. Caring individuals across the country can choose to run collections for new pyjamas at their workplaces, schools, clubs or teams. These collected pyjamas will be distributed by the Kindness Collective to children in need within their local communities, ensuring that support reaches those who need it most.
Named the 2023 New Zealander of the Year: Community of the Year, the Kindness Collective is renowned for its commitment to spreading kindness and support throughout Aotearoa. Their PJ Project has an ambitious goal of providing 20,000 warm pyjamas to children across the country, upping their outstanding 14,500 from last year.
Founder and Chief Executive of the Kindness Collective, Sarah Page, says providing a warm pair of pyjamas is one small act of kindness which can make a big difference to those who are going without.
“This year, there is a greater need than ever. A harrowing one in eight children are going without the essentials they need this winter, and we know that being cold can have a detrimental impact on the health, school attendance and overall wellbeing of our tamariki.
“As Kiwis continue to feel the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis, our PJ Project is one small way we can provide for families, so they don’t have to choose heating over eating this winter. If you are in a position to do so, please consider donating because this truly does make a meaningful difference,” says Page.
The impact of such gestures of kindness cannot be overstated. For families like Ruby’s, who have felt the weight of financial strain, receiving new pyjamas for their children means alleviating the burden of having to choose between warmth and necessities like food and diapers. “Some may say a pair of pyjamas isn’t life-changing or no big deal, but I guess those people have never had to choose between being warm or being fed,” says Ruby, a mother of four from Taonga Education Centre.
How You Can Contribute:
Donate: Make a direct donation to the Kindness Collective to help provide new winter pyjamas for a child in need (from May 1 to July 31). Alternatively, visit any of The Warehouse Group stores to donate money towards the Kindness Collective.
Collect and Donate Pyjamas: Encourage your business, school or club to collect pyjamas anytime between April and June. Register your organisation to participate.
Drop Off: Drop off a pair of pyjamas at any of The Warehouse stores nationwide from May 1 to June 30.
