News

Holiday pajama donations needed for Friends of Guest House residents

By James Cullum
Christmas tree (via Sapan Patel/Unsplash)

Friends of Guest House needs pajamas and cozy socks for their female residents who are transitioning back to the community from prison.

Realtor Maureen Clyne started the annual effort four years ago and has collected hundreds of pajama sets. This year’s goal is 100 pairs of pajamas.

“Because what’s better than a new pair of pajamas?” Clyne told ALXnow.

Donations of cozy socks and L-3XL pajamas can be dropped off at 9 East Cliff Street in Alexandria. Pickups can also be arranged by calling or texting 703-967-8884.

“What an incredible gift that will impact many, many women and make them not only feel warm, but very welcome,” former Friends of Guest House Executive Director Kari Galloway said. “We are so very grateful.”

Friends of Guest House serves 60 women every year in its residential program, and helped more than 4,000 women transition from jail since 1974.

Via Sapan Patel/Unsplash

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.