As the holiday season settles in, we’re reminded that simple gestures can have a profound impact. That’s exactly what Pajama Angels is all about! Now in its third year, this employee-driven initiative at Taylor Farms is dedicated to bringing warmth, comfort, and a bit of extra cheer to elementary school students across multiple states. Through efforts like Pajama Angels, we can show small acts of kindness that let children know they are seen and cared for.
Building on Last Year’s Success
Pajama Angels began in 2022 with a clear mission: to provide new pajamas to elementary students who might not otherwise have them—just in time for the fun and anticipation of the holiday break. Schools often hold “pajama day” on the last day before the holidays, and we wanted to make sure that no child would feel left out. Last year, our employees came together to donate over 1,600 pairs of pajamas, which were delivered to students in California, Arizona, and Florida.
The response was beyond what any of us could have expected. The students’ faces lit up as they held their new pajamas, and it was a sight we’d never forget. We heard countless stories from team members who personally handed out the pajamas. In fact, one student told a Taylor Farms team member it was the first pair of new PJs they had ever owned. Moments like that reaffirmed just how important this program is.
Expanding Our Reach in Year Three
With the success of the last two years, we knew we had to keep the momentum going. This year, the initiative has expanded even further, reaching seven communities where our team members live and work, including:
- Taylor Farms Southern California: 310 pajamas for Preschool-2nd grade students at Ramona Elementary School in Montclair-Ontario School District for their pajama day on December 19th.
- Taylor Farms Florida: 100 pajamas to students at Palmetto Elementary School in Orange County and 40 blankets to a special needs school in Orlando.
- Taylor Farms Texas: 29 pajamas for two kindergarten classes.
- Taylor Farms Guadalupe: 130 pajamas for 2nd-grade students at Mary Buren Elementary School in Guadalupe Unified School District.
- Taylor Farms Southwest: 350 pajamas for Pre-K through 3rd grade students at Tolleson Elementary School District.
- Taylor Farms Salinas: Pajamas for 354 students (TK-2nd grade) at Santa Lucia Elementary and 75 students (TK-8th grade) at San Lucas.
- Taylor Farms Illinois: 100 pajamas to students at Logan Square Elementary School.
The 2024 edition of Pajama Angels was truly a coast-to-coast effort!
One of the most beautiful aspects of Pajama Angels is that it’s entirely employee-funded. Instead of the company simply writing a check, our team members personally pick out and donate the pajamas. It might be easy to overlook this detail, but it’s what makes the initiative truly special.
Seeing colleagues rally around this cause is incredibly inspiring. From selecting the perfect pair of pajamas to organizing collection drives, to delivering them in person, our team is involved every step of the way, working side by side to make this vision a reality. It’s a powerful reminder of who we are and what we can accomplish together.
Sharing the Joy
At the end of the day, our Pajama Angels initiative is about championing dignity, comfort, and belonging. As they cozy up in their new holiday sleepwear, they know someone out there cares deeply about their joy during this festive time of year.
Beyond Pajama Angels, Taylor Farms continues to bring holiday cheer through other giving programs:
- Taylor Farms Pacific: Adopted 25 children (plus one mom!) from the Boys and Girls Club of Tracy for a holiday shopping spree.
- Taylor Farms California: For 12 years running, employees donated over 150 toys to the Operation Give Back Toy Drive.
- Taylor Farms New Jersey: Participated in the Toys for Tots campaign, donating toys for infants at a local shelter.
- Taylor Farms Mexico: Continued the beloved tradition of donating blankets to 500 families in the local community, offering warmth and care.
- Taylor Farms Texas: Sponsored 50 angels through the Salvation Army’s holiday program, bringing joy and support to those in need.
This holiday season, as Pajama Angels again delivers bundles of warmth and joy, we’re reminded that simple, heartfelt acts of kindness can inspire smiles, nurture hope, and create lasting memories. We’re already looking forward to making next year’s efforts even bigger!