LAPLACE — Girl Scouts troop 20047 is giving back this holiday season by collecting new pairs of pajamas and teddy bears to donate to underprivileged children in the St. John the Baptist Parish CASA program.

Eager to help foster children in the area, the girls in the troop decided to purchase two pairs of pajamas each, one for a boy and one for a girl, ranging in sizes from newborn to adult XL.

Girl Scouts Troop 20772 has joined in on the project as well, and the girls are currently encouraging their friends and family to donate.

Sydney Knoy, member of troop 20047, said it is important to represent all ages and sizes when collecting pajamas for CASA children.

“We’re trying to get pajamas for the older kids, too,” Knoy said. “A lot of people just think to buy for the little kids.”

The troop is well on its way to reaching its goal of collecting 100 pairs of pajamas before Dec. 16, having already collected more than 30 pairs as of late last week.

The community is invited to aid the effort and help a child get a good night’s sleep by bringing a new pair of pajamas to one of the following drop-off sites: First National Bank USA, 377 Belle Terre Blvd. in LaPlace; Riverside Academy, 332 Railroad Ave. in Reserve or Dunkin Donuts, 1334 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace.

There are currently 41 St. John Parish children in the Child Advocacy Services program, according to troop leader and CASA volunteer Jodi Luna. However, children who could benefit from pajamas are always coming into the program, and a surplus of donations can extend to children in need in neighboring parishes.

“These children are often pulled from school and moved to a new house with nothing,” Luna said, noting having a pair of pajamas and a small toy can go a long way to helping children feel ownership over their lives.

“Although they will not be able to see the reactions of the children on the receiving end, they are very understanding and happy to be able to help these children.”

Alyssa Regis, troop member, said the pajamas show foster children there are people advocating for their comfort and well-being.

“It’s nice to think about the smiles on the kids’ faces,” Regis said. “It shows them there are people out there that care about them, and that you have family all throughout the world.”

Girl Scouts gives girls too young to drive or volunteer on their own an avenue to impact the community while also forming friendships with other girls, Regis said.

Local troops partake in a variety of community service projects, according to Girl Scouts member Rylee Johnson.

Johnson said Troop 20047 participates in the St. John Clean Sweep and brainstorms ways to bring smiles to residents at Twin Oaks Nursing Home in LaPlace and Southeast Louisiana Veterans Home in Reserve.

To learn more information about the Girl Scouts Give Back Pajama Drive, email donatepajamas@gmail.com.

To learn more about CASA, visit childadv.net.