PHOTO PROVIDED Gram’s Jams is collectin sleepwear for children entering foster, adoptive or similar care.

For the past seven years, local Williamsport resident and founder of Kindness In Motion, Kim Menne, has been on a mission to bring warmth and comfort to children coming from hard places. What started as a small effort with the collection of just one pair of pajamas in her first year has grown into a seasonal tradition that has now provided over 2,000 pairs of pajamas to children in care across the region.

Now in its eighth year, the initiative–“Gram’s Jams”–has seen a remarkable increase in support, according to a news release. Last year, Menne collected 536 pairs of pajamas, and this year, she is once again partnering with Dwell, a local nonprofit that supports foster, adoptive, and kinship families, to distribute the donations.

“We are incredibly grateful for Kim’s commitment to the children and families impacted by foster care, adoption, and kinship care in our community,” said Jenn Lake, executive director of Dwell, according to the news release. “The generosity of Kim and her Gram’s Jams project have had a significant impact, helping children entering care feel warm, safe, and cared for during an incredibly difficult time. When children in our region enter foster care, the pajamas are always included in the Hope Bags full of clothing and necessaries to help ease that traumatic transition.”

Menne, who began donating pajamas and partnering with Dwell in 2019, explains the motivation behind her efforts: “I love what Dwell does for the children and parents of our community. I love to give jammies as it reminds me of being cozy and safe as a child and that’s how I think every child deserves to feel…cozy and warm.”

Gram’s Jams is now accepting donations of new pajamas for children in our region who will enter care in 2025. With a goal of collecting a minimum of 500 pairs of children’s pajamas donations will be accepted through January 16th, 2025. Donors are invited to purchase and ship new pajamas to Kim Menne at 716 Tucker St., Williamsport, PA 17701. Alternatively, donations can be dropped off by calling or texting Kim directly at 570-772-0118.