Juliet Little is calling on the Te Puke community to help keep families warm this winter by donating new pyjamas and socks for all ages.

“I’m wanting to collect new winter pyjamas and warm socks to give out to families in Te Puke - babies through to adults,” Little said.

“The nights are getting cooler, and everyone deserves to stay warm during winter.”

Little said the idea came from a desire to ease the burden on families during the colder months.

“I’m a Christian, and I believe God gave me this vision. It’s expensive to shop for essentials these days. I have friends who know families that would really appreciate something as simple as pyjamas and socks,” she said.

“There’s nothing wrong with second-hand, but there’s something special about receiving a brand-new pair of jamies. I just think families deserve to be blessed.”

Little was previously a foster parent for around four years and was involved with Foster Children Matter while running a home-based daycare. That passion led to the creation of her own initiative, All Children Matter.

“I wanted to reach more children, so my sister suggested the name All Children Matter. A friend who was a social worker used to connect me with families in need. It started with backpacks filled with donated clothes — I spent a lot of time washing, sorting, and packing them, then distributing them through foster agencies across the country,” she said.

Her late mother, who passed away in November, was an integral part of the effort.

“Mum would wash and dry the clothes — we were inundated at times. Some of those backpacks even made it overseas, to places like the Philippines, Tonga, and Samoa.”

In addition to clothing, Little has also provided bedroom makeovers for children, supplying new bedspreads and other essentials.

Now, her focus is on spreading warmth with new pyjamas and socks, which will be distributed through her network of contacts and support agencies in Te Puke, Paengaroa, and Maketū.

“It’s really about blessing people,” she said. “Even if a family doesn’t have much, from babies to the elderly - any age - it’s about looking out for your neighbour.

“If you are keen to donate a pair of new socks or new pyjamas please contact me for drop-off details.”

Donations can be coordinated through the All Children Matter Facebook page.