Jammies from Grammies is a heartwarming Alberta-based nonprofit and Canadian Registered Charity dedicated to bringing warmth, comfort, and dignity to vulnerable children in the Calgary area. Founded by Linda Collier in 2017, Jammies continues to expand its mission of helping children, inspired by Linda’s own experiences and journey of healing.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
Jammies is an Alberta non-profit and a Canadian Registered Charity. We fundraise whenever possible and apply for funding so we can provide new warm sleepwear for vulnerable children in the Calgary area in need of warmth, comfort and sweet dreams.
What problem does it aim to solve?
Our goal now and for the future is to continue to provide not only warm sleepwear but also new warm winter clothing such as coats and boots. With our recent funding by Calgary Children’s Foundation and with the support of Rogers Birdies for Kids, we will do what we can this winter to get these added to our program.
When did you start/join it?
I started Jammies in 2017 after losing my brother to cancer. I needed to do something to heal my heart. Reaching deep into my own childhood, and having been raised in foster care, helping children in some small way felt right. I relied heavily on family and friends to support my idea. It was a very slow start. So in November 2018 I held a paint night and received 40 pairs of pyjamas and some cash from the bar service at Vin Gogh thanks to the kindness of Shea. After attempts to find an organization for these donations, Woods Homes was happy to accept them, and a relationship was formed with them and it continues strong today. We also support Highbanks Society, a safe place for young moms and children facing poverty and homelessness.
What made you want to get involved?
Children need to feel safe and warm. It may sound like a very small thing, a pair of pyjamas, but I remember to this day always getting a pair of new flannel pyjamas each Christmas and the warmth and comfort they brought me. To a child in foster care, or in home where putting food on the table is a struggle, getting a good night’s sleep, feeling the warmth of these pyjamas on a cold Alberta winter night, and feeling less tired at school means everything to these kids.
How can our readers help?
We have a wish of putting on a fundraising fashion show with a twist… presenting used and vintage clothing in a new light… we think of it as never judging a book by its cover. With the cost of living and US tariffs, there is no better time than now to find a way to save money and still look good. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the additional funding we had hoped for, but we would appreciate any support we can get from your readers in getting this venture off the ground. Woods Homes has a wonderful room for us to use at their Inglewood location, and food would be catered by their onsite Culinary Program, but we need support to pay for advertising, decorations, paying for refreshments and volunteers to help organize.
Where can we follow you?
Follow us on Facebook and visit our website. We can issue tax receipts for any donation of $20 and over.
