The holidays can bring a mix of emotions for everyone. For one Syracuse family, they turned their grief over losing their baby, into a way to give back to children in need. Since 2014, they’ve collected jammies, which are then given out during the holidays as a way to keep their son’s memory alive all season long.
Tiny jammies with dinosaurs, unicorns and rainbows designs covered tables at Sandy and Son’s in East Syracuse, all collected in memory of one very special baby.
“We had a son, Jameson, who when we found out in utero that he had some brain problems, he had a fluid buildup on the brain called hydrocephalus,” said Dawn Benedict, Jameson’s mom.
What You Need To Know
- Over 3,000 jammies have been collected and donated since 2014
- New Hope Family Services is giving away all the jammies and donation items this Friday, December 17. If you’re in need, make sure to stop by at their location on James Street
- You can also donate to Jammies for Jameson all year long. Items can be dropped off at Sandy and Son’s and Village Lanes in East Syracuse
After Jameson was born in April 2013, Dawn says his brain tissue didn’t actually develop. Surrounded by love, Jameson passed away a few months later.
“So many people gave to us when he was going through his journey, and we felt it necessary to give back,” said Dawn.
That’s how “Jammies for Jameson” came to be. Since 2014, they have collected over 3,000 jammies, toys and blankets to keep children warm and cozy during the cold holiday months.
“Our whole thing with him was he was not allowed to wear clothes when he was in the hospital. So being able to just keep a child warm, whether it be a coat, or pants, or a shirt,” explained Dawn.
The Benedict Family donates all the jammies and other items to New Hope Family Services: a pregnancy resource center and adoption agency in Syracuse.
“We’ll bring them into our office and then lay them all out by size. And then we’ll invite our clients to come in and pick out pajamas for their kids for Christmas,” explained Kristin Losier, with New Hope Family Services.
But first, the jammies and blankets must be loaded into cars with some extra hands to help. These warm, fuzzy gifts soon to be given to lucky kids, a Christmas wish from Jameson.
“Seeing all of this just brings out the love that we have, and brings out the love that we have from our community, knowing that, even though he’s gone, he’s still here,” said Dawn.
New Hope Family Services is giving away all the jammies and donation items this Friday, December 17. If you’re in need, make sure to stop by their location on James Street.
You can also donate to Jammies for Jameson all year long. Items can be dropped off at Sandy and Son’s and Village Lanes in East Syracuse.
