Day Sixty-Eight: The PJ Project

Jacob: PJ Ninja!

Joshua: Ham in Jammies

Joey & Jack: Fighting PJ's or Cuddly PJ's-

You Decide

I read Glamour magazine every month and have since I was old enough to buy it myself. Think what you will, but I think it is a really good magazine. Where else can a self professed feminist and shoe-a-holic read about inspirational Women of the Year and the equally inspirational latest Jimmy Choo high-heeled, python, open toe, bootie in the same magazine? Exactly. This month, there was an interesting article entitled "31 Days of Giving." This focus on this article was giving without spending much or nothing at all. It featured a December calender with an idea for giving imprinted on each day. The first day was about donating money to a web site dedicated to buying sleepwear for children who are staying in shelters. Hmmmm...

At the time, I was just in the attic looking for cold weather pajamas for the boys. I had a bin full of various sizes and there were some that no longer fit anyone. I thought it would be a great idea to get together what we could not use and donate them to our local battered women's shelter. I really didn't have more than 2 pair, so I solicited the help of my neighbors and friends. Instead of a monetary donation, this would be an easy, cost free way to give to those in need.

I immediately thought of the shelter, A Safe Place, because the most fulfilling job I had utilizing my law degree was running a Domestic Violence Prosecution Unit. Very often, when I tell people this, I get some strange reactions. Most people cannot fathom why anyone would want to do that type of work. I found it to be directly responsive to my needs to be in a court room, do feminist related work and serve the public interest. For me, putting batters in jail was a great way to earn a living.

When a woman brings her children to a shelter, very often it is because of a full blown crisis. These people leave with, literally, the clothes on their back. Finding their way to a shelter means that they often need to sleep in their clothes until further assistance can be found. I can't imagine the terror, the embarrassment and the desperation that drives women to seek help at a shelter, but I do know it is very easy to help. If my PJ Project helps one child feel a little more comfortable in a very scary and uncomfortable situation, then I have done something worthwhile. It didn't even cost me anything, just the time to pull it together and the will to care about people who need a bit of extra caring.

If you think you can help me with this project, it would be very much appreciated. Simply email me (see my Facebook Badge to the right of this posting) and I'll be happy to handle the logistics. If you are so inclined, find a local shelter in your area. Call them up and see what they need. You would be surprised how easy it is to find and recycle items around your neighborhood that could be put to good use. It's a great way to save the environment, save money in your wallet and get into the true holiday spirit. Remember the words of Mother Theresa, "We can do no great things; only small things with great love." Cheers to the PJ Project and any other great, small ideas you may have.