Slipping into a pair of cozy pajamas and settling into bed with a book is among the best ways to reassure and comfort yourself after a long day. Now, a Garner school teacher is working to spread that loving bedtime atmosphere to children in the Raleigh-Durham area who have been neglected, abused or simply may not have a stable home environment.

Sue Myers, an elementary teacher who moved to Raleigh in 1994, says she was thumbing through a magazine in a waiting room when she came across a magazine article about The Pajama Program. The non-for-profit organization, which has 73 chapters nationwide, provides new pajamas and new books to children in need. Something “clicked,” she said in a recent interview, and she knew she had to be involved. When she discovered that eastern N.C. wasn’t part of the program, Myers jumped at the chance to help children, a group she said is close to her heart because they are so vulnerable.

Most of the children the national program benefits are in foster care and in group homes, she said. Many have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a mother tuck them in at bedtime and read to them.

“In the U.S., there are 500,000 children in foster care—that’s a scary situation,” she said. “They don’t know what tomorrow is going to bring,” she said, adding that providing a book and PJs is one way to help. “Even now as a grown woman, getting into pajamas and reading a book just relaxes me. So, if I just can give that little bit of comfort to a child who doesn’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, that’s what it’s all about.”

Just two weeks into her role as chapter president of the Raleigh-Durham chapter, Myers is searching for organizations and businesses willing to do pajama or book drives and host drop-off donations. Individuals can also help by holding pajama and book drives, she said, noting that some people have already contacted her on the Web with offers to help. Ideas for getting involved include asking your book club to collect donations of new PJs and books. Parents hosting parties also can ask guests to donate these items instead of bringing gifts for the party host. Myers is also looking for organizations and groups in Raleigh-Durham that could be well served by the donations.

Since 2001, the Pajama Program has provided more than 210,000 pajamas and 110,000 books to children in need nationwide, and has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, according to the group.

For more ways to give back in your community, visit CarolinaParent.com's Get Involved page.