By Noelle Chaney
Special to The Collegian
There is nothing quite like that warm and fuzzy feeling people get from a new pair of pajamas, unless it is the warm and fuzzy feeling they get from donating a pair to someone in need.
Members of Fresno State’s Jr. Panhellenic Association, associated with the Panhellenic Association, will be holding a pajama drive today through Friday and are asking for donations of new or gently used women’s pajamas.
Jr. Panhellenic vice president Abby Hudson coordinated the drive and said the pajamas will be donated to Fresno nonprofit Naomi’s House, which opened in 2002 to help women who live on the street.
“There was a list of things that we could’ve donated, but we chose pajamas because every night, they [Naomi’s House] provide each woman with a pair of pajamas,” Hudson said.
Having volunteered at Poverello House when she was younger, Hudson said she remembers seeing women come into the shelter for help.
“It’s women who want to be helped and be safe, so it’s amazing to know we’re helping with the high homeless rate,” she said.
Katherine Simmons, a member of the Jr. Panhellenic Association, said that group also wanted to get involved and help a local charity by providing those in need with something that isn’t commonly donated.
“There is always going to be a turkey drive or a canned food drive,” Simmons said. “Pajamas were something that more than one charity requested.
“They are necessary, appreciated and often looked over.”
In addition to providing shelter, Naomi’s House has collaborated with other organizations to provide hot food, medical and dental care, laundry and transportation to help women get back on their feet.
Tamara Hansen, another member of the association, said the organization chose to donate to Naomi’s House because they wanted a direct link of woman-to-woman.
“Since we are an organization of women, we knew we wanted to do something that would directly help women,” Hansen said.
Hudson said they have mainly received donations from fraternities and sororities, which have boxes for donations in every house.
For students not involved in the Greek system, Hudson said they can bring their donation of new or gently used pajamas to the members of the Jr. Panhellenic Association, who will have a table set up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of Taco Bell across from The Pit.
The association will also accept monetary donations.
The drive ends Friday.