Our Story
Our Mission
Every child deserves to feel safe, warm, and cared for at bedtime. For over 15 years, Pajama Jams has been bringing that comfort to children by providing more than pajamas—we create bedtime moments that offer hope and consistency when life feels uncertain.
We believe Good Sleep for Good has the power to change lives. With the help of our community, we’re making bedtime brighter and dreams a little sweeter for kids in need.
Our Impact
Building brighter bedtimes through community and compassion.
Community Partnerships That Make a Difference
Strong partnerships are at the heart of Pajama Jams. We collaborate with trusted organizations to reach children where they need us most to create brighter bedtimes.
Expanding Our Reach to Meet Growing Need
As more families face hardship, our response continues to grow. Pajama Jams meets children’s needs through Collection Events, Drop-off Locations, or Cash Donations
30,000+ Children Served & Growing
Since our founding in 2008, Pajama Jams has delivered more than 30,000 pairs of pajamas to children. Behind each pair is a child who feels warmer, safer, and more cared for—a simple gift that brings dignity, comfort, and the promise of good sleep for good.
Transform Bedtime, Transform Lives
Your generosity—whether through pajama donations, financial gifts, or volunteer support—brings children the comfort of a safe, peaceful night’s sleep. What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a thriving movement powered by the spirit of our community.
Together, we can continue making a difference—one child, one pair of pajamas, one night of comfort at a time.
How Pajama Jams Began
The Christmas Eve that Started It All
In 2008, Tucker faced a familiar holiday tradition with an unfamiliar outcome. As a Virginia Beach military family, the Tuckers had always celebrated Christmas Eve by opening one special gift—traditionally matching pajamas for the children. However, that particular year brought a moment that would redefine their family's understanding of gratitude and service.
"My then 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter made no bones about expressing their disappointment," Tucker recalls. "They wanted the latest video game, not what they called 'dumb' pajamas." Rather than simply lecturing her children about gratitude, Tucker recognized this as a teachable moment that required action, not just words.
A Military Family's Mission to Give Back
What began as a simple Christmas Eve tradition has transformed into a life-changing nonprofit organization serving thousands of children in Virginia Beach and beyond. Military spouse and mother of three, Erika Tucker, discovered her calling through an unexpected moment of parental wisdom that would reshape her family's perspective on giving back to the community.
Creating Comfort and Connection Through Service
Understanding that many local children would treasure receiving even a single pair of pajamas for Christmas, Tucker saw an opportunity to show her children the true meaning of abundance and compassion. This pivotal moment sparked the creation of Pajama Jams, a grassroots nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comfort and dignity to children in need.
"I wanted my kids to see that although they were blessed with many material possessions, there was much more to life," explains Tucker. "It became a mission of gratitude and giving back for my children, and a labor of love for thousands of children in our community—one pair at a time."
From Family Values to Community Impact
Today, Pajama Jams continues to embody the values that military families hold dear: service, community support, and teaching the next generation about the importance of helping others.
The organization stands as a testament to how small acts of kindness, rooted in family values and community spirit, can grow into meaningful change for those who need it most.
About Erika Tucker
Erika Tucker is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, where she earned her BFA in Textile Design, and holds an MFA in Visual Studies from Norfolk State University. Before becoming a full-time mom and military spouse, Erika built her career in New York as a fashion marketing manager at Cotton Inc., overseeing color, fabric, and style trends for home textiles and floor coverings across the U.S., Europe, and Asia.
She is the founder of Pajama Jams, a nonprofit that has provided more than 30,000 pairs of pajamas to children in need, and Sundara, a women’s pajama and loungewear brand handcrafted in India with a mission to empower women and support sustainable practices.
Across her career, Erika has combined creativity, design expertise, and a passion for service to build organizations that bring comfort, dignity, and community impact—one pair at a time.