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By Paula Green
Sharing warmth and love during the holidays makes the season brighter. Every fall, the Miller family of Mars has been doing their part to comfort those in need. The girls, Katie, 14; Lexie, 12; and Maggie, 9; sponsor a "Pajama Drive." This past November marked seven years that they held this clothing campaign.
"It is a tradition in our family to receive a cozy pair of pajamas for the holiday season. This project started in 2018 as a way to connect our family tradition with those in need in our community. It is something my young children could understand and connect with themselves," said the girls' mother, Julie Byrne.
The Miller girls are students at Blessed Francis Seelos Academy in Pine Township, where their first collection occurred. During November, the family places collection boxes at Seelos, Saint Alphonsus, and Saint Alexis churches, which are part of Saint Aidan Parish. This year's collection netted 672 pairs of pajamas.
"This project started as something fun we did together. I used to love checking the collection boxes and picking the perfect pajamas to give to other children. Now that I'm older, I realize that this project allows me to live my faith by helping to spread love and joy, one pair of pajamas at a time," said Katie.
"We are humbled by the generosity we receive from our parish and school families and appreciate it more than we could ever put into words! We get the vast majority of our donations from those two communities. Every pair of pajamas donated goes to someone locally in need and reminds those who receive them that no matter how hard things are or have been, they are loved - especially during the holiday season," Julie said.
The Millers have several organizations where they distribute pajamas. "This year, we partnered with two local kindergarten classes. With the monetary donations we received, we bought matching pajamas for them. We delivered to three organizations run by the Sisters of Mercy in Erie, where my mom grew up. Two organizations help house, support, and educate women and children who need help getting back on their feet. The other supports Erie refugees within their first year in the United States. Most of those people come here with nothing, so pajamas are a real luxury,” said Lexie.
"As one recipient told us, ‘There's nothing that makes you feel more at home than a cozy pair of pajamas,’ and I believe that's true! I love being able to give someone who has had a hard time a little bit of comfort and remind them that they are cared about," said Lexie.
The Millers provide pajamas to the Saint Aidan's Mission in David, Kentucky. In addition, they have partnered with Jeremiah's Place, Inspired Hearts and Hands, The Neighborhood Resilience Project, and The North Hills Community Outreach to help deliver a little holiday warmth. They work also with Ronald McDonald House and Beverly's Birthdays.
“I feel so blessed to be able to help others each year during the holiday season. It makes me feel so good,” Maggie said.
Julie noted that this is genuinely a meaningful holiday mission for her family. "Over the last seven years, as my kids have grown, the project has grown with them, and it has become our favorite part of our holiday season. We have been blessed to meet incredible people, make countless memories delivering pajamas and taking part in community events, and realize that it's the little things—like a smile, hug, and warm pair of pajamas—that mean the most."
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