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Pajama project help kids in need

Virginia Burroughs, Dayton resident and former Dayton City Schools teacher, writes a weekly Hereabouts column for the Dayton Neighbors section.

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By Virginia Burroughs, Staff Writer 5:12 PM Wednesday, November 25, 2009

As we begin the holiday season with family and food today, Kelly Schilling and Angie Hoschouer both deserve thanks as they work to make this season a bit warmer for children of domestic violence and homelessness.

Schilling, a Middletown resident, has started a fundraiser, Jammies for Junior, to give pajamas to at least 250 children by Christmas, primarily through the YWCA of Greater Dayton’s emergency crisis center for domestic violence.

“The YWCA has the only emergency crisis center in all of Montgomery County,” said Schilling. “They take in between 250 to 300 children a year. Normally, they receive their calls in the middle of the night, from a pay phone, and a woman has escaped with her children. They are literally running for their lives.”

Hoschouer, the special events and public relations coordinator for the YWCA, said that. “Kelly contacted me and told me about her program. And we agreed that there was most certainly a need this time of year.”

The YWCA operates two 24-hour emergency domestic violence shelters, in Montgomery and Preble counties.

“It fluctuates, but at any given time, we have 20 women and 15 to 25 children from infants to preteens,” said Hoschouer. “This project was definitely a good fit for both of us.”

In addition to serving clients who have been victims of domestic violence, the YWCA shelters homeless women and their children and operates Hope’s Closet, a free “clothing store” started by the Junior League.

“We take donations for children’s clothing, and our clients can get what they need there,” said Hoschouer, who noted that there’s a very slim selection of children’s pajamas in just two drawers.

Schilling, who works for a software company full time, does most of her volunteer work on weekends. She and her husband, Paul, have a 15-month-old daughter, Anna.

“Part of the reason for the pajama drive is that, being a new mom, I cannot imagine being unable to have something for your child to sleep in,” she said.

“Angie indicated these children (at the centers) normally have nothing more then the clothes on their backs when they arrive. She told me what a big deal pajamas are to the children, who usually have to sleep in their clothes.

“I cannot even imagine the struggles some people go through day to day. To ‘escape’ from your own home and have nothing for your child is heartbreaking.”

Schilling, who is working through her church so the project is tax-exempt, has been able to purchase 70 pairs of pajamas so far.

Donations of new or gently used pajamas can be dropped off or checks for purchase — made out to Christ Church-Jammies — mailed to Jammies for Junior at one of two sites: c/o Angie Hoschouer at the YWCA. 141 W. Third St., Dayton, OH 45402, or Christ United Methodist Church, 700 S. Marshall Road, Middletown, OH 45044.

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To learn more about Schilling’s project and updates, her Web site is www.jammiesforjunior.blogspot.com

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