In 2019, Scott and Stacey Masters were travelling home from a family thanksgiving in New York.   As it usually happens, traffic was bad and the trip was long.   As we waited in traffic, they found themselves talking about the challenges they were seeing in their 8-5 jobs.   Stacey, a Family Advocate at Head Start in Keene New Hampshire, and Scott, a Minister at Asbury United Methodist Church in Chesterfield New Hampshire, began discussing how they could partner together in doing something for the most at risk in our region.

By the time they arrived home, the idea of The Pajama Project was born.   Partnering together, their goal that year was to work within each community to ensure that every child that needed them, had warm pajamas, and a bedtime book to share over the Christmas Season.   That first year there 45 kids that received PJs, Books, and School Supplies that Monday before Christmas.

A few months later the pandemic struck, and everything got harder for all of us.

As the holiday season approached, the need continued to rise, but we didn’t think it possible to tackle the project again.    When the news broke to the church, the congregation was broken hearted.  They were determined to help despite the challenge of lock downs and kids.   That year was a resounding success.

From there the mission continued to grow.   Scott’s appointment in the church began to shift, and he also became one of the founders of the Monadnock Center for Mission & Ministry, and his connections started to grow.   With Stacey’s direction each year since we have been able to expand the boundaries of the project wider and wider.   Today, we are able to help children all cross the Monadnock Region (an area of 34 towns and 100,000 people)

The success and the passion behind this project could never have been achieved without all the incredible people who have donated, shopped, dropped off, encouraged others, or spread the word.  Today we receive donations from all over the US and we are surprised to be a part of such an incredible – and homegrown – way of making a difference right here right now.

As The Pajama Project kicks off for 2024, we are thankful for you and your grace!

Head Start of Keene, Rindge/Jaffery, & Swanzey NH

Asbury Church of Chesterfield New Hampshire

The Marlow Community Church of Marlow NH

The Monadnock Center for Mission and Ministry

Joan’s Food Pantry Chesterfield New Hampshire

And So Many More…