From the invitation, it sounded like every other pajama party — kids, PJs, fun things to do and lots to eat. But this was a special party for children enrolled in the Healthy Families Howard County program, and all the pajamas were donated by students at The Young School in Columbia.

 Last winter, The Young School’s Outreach Department “adopted” Healthy Families, a Howard County program of Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland and Howard County General Hospital. The school’s first project was a pajamas and books drive. The goal, according to community service coordinator Alisha Brackney, was to “ensure that every child has a pair of pajamas and their own bedtime book to read each night.”

 At Healthy Families’ pajama party, every child got to choose a pair of PJs. They also picked out books in the book corner, decorated cupcakes and created art projects. In all, The Young School donated 100 pairs of pajamas, enough for every child in the Healthy Families program.

 “The kids and their parents had a great time,” said Healthy Families director Judy Templeton of Family and Children’s Services of Central Maryland, “and the best part was that every child went home with a pair of pajamas and a book for bedtime stories.”

 Healthy Families helps first-time parents access community resources and provides support in their new role as moms and dads. Locally, Family and Children’s Services provides the home visit component of the program, which is administered by Howard County General Hospital as part of the Healthy Families America initiative.

 For information about Healthy Families, contact Judy Templeton at jtempleton@fcsmd.org, 410-997-3557.