CAM collecting children’s pajamas

Christian Action Ministries Assistant Director Julie Mefferd stays busy finding families that need pajamas. BDN photo by Tonyi Crandell

By Tonyi Crandell
BDN Staff Writer
tcrandell@bransondailynews.com

There are children who wear street clothes to bed because it’s the warmest thing they own. At night, they huddle with their families to try and keep warm.

One organization — Christian Action Ministries — is trying to remedy the situation.

“This is the second annual pajama party campaign,” said Julie Mefferd, assistant director of CAM. “We need new pajamas for children of all ages. With so many families using propane, that’s usually the first thing that gets shut off because it’s just so expensive. Then, the electric is shut off. A number of our families usually sleep together in one bed and pile blankets, and whatever else they have, on top of them just to keep warm through the night. We know those children probably go to bed in the clothes they wore to school and then get up the next day, and wear the same clothes they slept in to go back to school. This situation breaks my heart.”

Mefferd said she was inspired to bring this program to CAM from watching the Oprah Winfrey Show last year.

“I saw a segment spotlighting a young woman who went to a local homeless shelter in New York,” said Mefford. “What she saw were homeless children getting ready to go to bed on their cots wearing their street clothes. There was no bedtime story and no pajamas. It broke the woman’s heart. So, she bought bedtime stories and pajamas for the children, and with the permission of the shelter, sat and read to the children while they snuggled up in their new pajamas. So many of us grow up where hugs and kisses, bedtime stories and cuddling up in pajamas is routine. To some of us, this is a world that we are completely unaware of, but, sadly, it is what’s normal for these kids.”

Mefferd said when she started last year, she shared the story with CAM Director Joan Westfall, and Westfall gave her the go-ahead to start the program for children in the Ozarks.

“In essence, any family member who registers with CAM, and has a child, qualifies for the program,” said Mefferd. “We start the campaign on Nov.1 and it lasts through December. We start our distribution of pajamas in December and tie it in to Christmas. When the moms and dads come in, hopefully, we can also give them a toy from our Toys for Tots campaign, along with a pair of pajamas. The pajamas mean a lot to children and it’s something the parents can give their child as an extra present.”

Mefferd added that donations will go to families who make between $600-$1500 per month and are “barely making it.”

“Some families have two or three children and are barely making it,” said Mefferd. “In reality, they are trying. Sometimes, that’s not enough when there is so little money and what money they do have goes toward a $500-$600 rent payment, a car payment, insurance payment and food. By the time the bills are paid, it’s all gone — there’s absolutely nothing left.”

Last year, CAM received over 350 pairs of pajamas and according to Mefferd, they were able to outfit every child who came to the office last year.

“That’s a staggering amount of children who needed pajamas,” said Mefferd. “We had one little boy who wanted to strip down and put his pajamas on in the lobby. Pajamas are different than wearing clothes, they make you feel warm and cozy. And when people donate to this campaign, they know they are helping a child to feel that way. It touches your heart to know that your donation is keeping a child warm tonight.”

CAM is funded month-to-month by donations from individuals and businesses. Donations to this campaign may be dropped off at the CAM office or you may call (417) 334-1157 to schedule a pickup. Monetary donations should be in the form of a check or money order and noted with the campaign’s name. All donations are used for specific campaigns, or if not noted, the continuing operation of CAM.