Feature Story 1: Pillowcase Project Name: Chasidy Shrier

Moved.
That's how junior Tameka Judson felt when she watched the special news segment on Channel
4 about the local children's hospital. The children’s stories and the parents' strength made
something in Tameka spark.
The rooms became unsettling to her. Stark, empty, and colorless rooms making it feel more like
prison than a childcare facility. Thinking about the plain sheets, the bare walls, and the white
blankets made Tameka feel sorry for those children. “When I watched that special news cast on
the children's hospital in the winter, I cried and cried.” Tameka Judson said. “I was touched by
the strength and the character of those children and their parents. I knew I wanted to do
something for them.” Later, she had an idea. The Pillowcase Project would be perfect for the
children, by bringing them some sort of happiness in those tedious rooms.
Tameka contacted the hospital administrator, Doug Lent, and asked if she could make colorful
and lively pillowcases for the children staying at the hospital. Lent loved the pillowcase idea and
allowed Tameka’s plans.
Tameka started reaching out to local businesses, excited for the opportunities to give the
children some cheerfulness. “My bedroom is a rainbow of colors - every color of the sun. Each
wall in my room is a different color. Colors make me happy, so I was so struck by the whiteness
of those hospital rooms. Everything was white and stark.” Judson said. “I thought if I could bring
a little color into those rooms, I might be able to bring a little happiness, too.”
While Tameka distributed her first batch of pillowcases, she saw how one silly, little pillowcase
can make an entire hospital light up. “It worked. When we delivered our first set of pillowcases, I
can't describe the joy we saw in those childrens faces,” Judson said. '' All of the material we
chose was fun patterns and very colorful.”
While knocking on doors and handing out pillowcases, Tameka met someone that will change
her perspective on everything. “One four-year-old girl named Sara picked out a pillowcase with
bunnies and carrots all over it.” Judson said. “Sara immediately named it ‘Whiskers’.” Sara
became so attached to ‘Whiskers’, she took it home later when she was released from the
hospital. Sara often had to get needles put into her due to her illness, it was scary and painful.
But now she brings ‘Whiskers’ to help relieve the pain. “The pillowcase made a huge difference
for our Sara.” Valeria Gallegos, mother of Sara. “When she was scared, she would hug it tight
and tell us ‘Whiskers’ would protect her.” Now that Sara is home, ‘Whiskers’ became everything
to her. She wakes up and goes to sleep with ‘Whiskers’ every day and night. As long as
‘Whiskers’ is there, Sara is safe.
Tameka’s plan for giving children something to hold onto and something to cheer them up made
a huge impact on everybody. By showing some love and compassion, Tameka will forever be
thanked by the children, the parents, and the staff at that hospital. “Those pillowcases bring so
much wonderful energy to the hospital.” Doug Lent, hospital administrator said. “I never
dreamed this would be the outcome.”