Feature Story 1: Pillowcase Project Name:

“My bed is a rainbow of colors - every color of the sun,” junior Tameka Judson said.
“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.” Over the winter break, junior Tameka Judson watched a
news segment on Channel 4 about the local children’s hospital. Watching that story brought
emotions to her.
“When I watched that special news cast on the children’s hospital in the winter, I cried
and cried,” Judson said. “I was touched by the strength and character of those children and their
parents. I knew I wanted to do something for them.”
Judson started Pillowcase Project because of the video and how she felt sorry for those
kids who have no color in their hospital rooms. She then contacted the hospital administrator
Doug Lent about it, and he loved it and approved Judson’s plan.

“This has been an absolutely wonderful project at the hospital,” Lent said. “I had no idea
how much a pillowcase could mean to a little child. I see children all over the hospital clutching
their special pillow. The parents also are grateful.”

After inviting her friends, Judson contacted local businesses to donate the money for the
material and supplies. The girls delivered their first 30 pillowcases to the hospital Feb. 15. They
will deliver their second set of 30 pillowcases to the cancer ward of the hospital on March 8.

“That pillowcase made a huge difference for our Sara,” Valeria Gallegos said. “When
she was scared, she would hug it tight and tell us ‘Whiskers’ would protect her. When Tameka
knocked on our hospital door and asked if she could give Sara a pillowcase, I had no idea what
kind of impact it would have.”

Every Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6 p.m. and 2-4 p.m. on Sundays. The girls meet at
Tameka’s house where she and her mother convert the dining room into a sewing room.

“I am not very good on the sewing machine, so I do most of the cutting and pinning,”
junior Sonia Bustamante said. “It sounds kind of boring, but I have loved every minute of it. It’s a
great group of girls, and it’s so rewarding when a finished pillowcase is added to our crate.”

The news segment and the knowledge of knowing what the rooms look like inspired
Judson to create something no one knew could be that impactful to those kids at the hospital.
Thanks to Judson and her group, those kids that they’ve helped with forever remember this
magical moment.