Our Story

A note from Kelly Sargent, founder of Helen's Pajama Party:
Picture
October 2006 was unseasonably cold in Iowa. Paul was out of town, and as I drove home from work in the dark to an empty house, I was overcome with an overwhelming urge to buy pajamas. Since I already owned several pairs, it seemed impractical at best — even frivolous. I tried to talk myself out of it, but it didn’t work. I craved the cozy comfort of new pajamas.​

It occurred to me then as I stood there at the pajama rack that if I felt that way about the the solace of pajamas — and I have a safe home and a loving husband — how much more in need of comfort, care and reassurance is a woman who is is literally running for her life  . . . usually with nothing but the clothes on her back. 
I decided to ask friends and family if they would buy new-with-tags pajamas for the domestic violence shelter in Des Moines. I sent 50 invitations, and I got 150 pairs. I was excited and grateful to everyone who donated, but as I learned later, we hadn’t even covered a third of a year in one shelter in one town. 
​
My goal became to provide enough pajamas to last the Des Moines shelter all year, and from there it increased to giving every domestic violence shelter in Iowa a year’s supply. Since then Helen’s Pajama Party has expanded its reach to include shelters in Nevada, Arkansas and North Dakota. Join me in helping give victims of domestic violence new pajamas and a new beginning.

On behalf of those we serve,

​Kelly Sargent
Helen's Pajama Party
402 South Ankeny
​Ankeny, IA 50023
515-244-7706
800-760-7706
EMAIL US
​Thanks from Kelly!

This is a much overdue thank you to everyone who has donated pajamas, forwarded an email, wrapped pajama gift packages at Christmas, made deliveries to shelters, donated money or helped me in any other way. 

Depending on the time of year, I may have been in the media a bit, but don’t let that fool you. It's all of you who make Helen's Pajama Party happen. Granted, it wasn’t too bad for a middle-of-the-night idea, but if you hadn't embraced it and donated pajamas, the shelters wouldn't be getting them. It’s that simple.