When Angie Kreider's mother, Sharon Atkins, passed away in October of 2021, the Columbia woman wanted to find a way to honor her mom's life. Kreider and her father, Bob Atkins, created Nanny's Nighties, using the nickname Sharon's grandchildren gave her. The nonprofit organization provides high-quality nightgowns to residents of government-funded facilities who don't have the money or family resources for the items.

After a story ran in the Merchandiser last November, Kate West from Lancaster County-based Velrose/Shadowline Lingerie contacted Kreider, and a partnership was born. "I saw Nanny's Nighties in my local Merchandiser and thought, 'What a lovely thought,'" recalled West, director of operations. Kreider and West struck up a conversation, and West offered to sell nightgowns to the organization at cost, approximately $10 per piece.

"This partnership will be instrumental in allowing us to serve so many more people," Kreider stated. "I was floored knowing how many more women that meant I would be able to serve since we typically spend upwards of $25 per item."

Kreider met with West at the Velrose warehouse in New Holland in late February, and she picked up 150 gowns to be distributed this month. Since that meeting, Kreider added another facility to her distribution list and an additional 50 nightgowns. She currently distributes gowns to facilities in Lancaster and York counties.

Nanny's Nighties delivers the nightgowns twice a year - once at Christmastime and once in April, in honor of Sharon's birthday, which was April 18. Representatives from both Nanny's Nighties and Velrose delivered the gowns during the first two weeks of April. "We are delivering along with the staff from Velrose ... so they can see firsthand the joy this brings to so many," Kreider said.

A nightgown may seem like a simple gift, but it makes a big impression on the recipient, Kreider explained, adding, "A nightgown is a way someone can feel special and feel beautiful."

For more information about Nanny's Nighties, call 717-440-5950. Financial contributions may be made at https://donorbox.org/nanny-s-nighties.