The Pirate’s Pajamas is the story of a brave little girl and a bombastic pirate who join forces to care for children in their lakeshore community.
The Pirate’s Pajamas is the story of a brave little girl and a bombastic pirate who join forces to care for children in their lakeshore community.
20% have seriously thought about suicide, and 8% have attempted suicide at least once.
In Allegan and Ottawa Counties, about 400 children are in foster care at any given time.
While we’re grateful this number represents a relatively small percentage of the overall child population, this small number often means fewer specialized resources—and limited access—to services designed to support children with unique needs and families who care for them.
Like all youth today, children in foster care experience increased mental health challenges. They are also uniquely impacted by higher rates of trauma, abuse, and neglect. These experiences can create complex emotional and behavioral challenges that require consistent, trauma-informed support across all areas of their life—at school, at home, and within the community.
The Pirate Project is deeply committed to ensuring no crewmate is overlooked or forgotten. Every day, we witness the bravery of children like Lucia in our stories, navigating the challenges of foster care. We also see moments of Captain Arthur’s silliness and joy woven into their daily lives, bringing resilience and hope.
One way Bethany Christian Services of Holland supports these children is by raising funds for behavioral specialists. Our highly trained behavioral specialists work collaboratively with parents, foster parents, children, teachers, and mentors to understand how trauma impacts brain development and behavior.
Together, we help children and families build resilience, strengthen caregiver-child relationships, and support long‑term healing.
The Pirate Project
Crewmates
Climb aboard the ship – get involved
Get the book
Crewmates
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Rich Gritter, having spent his career in ministry related roles, is currently the Sr Director of Principal Gifts for Bethany Christian Services. Embracing the belief that all people are made in God’s image and are worthy of love, respect and healing, Rich believes in this project as a way to address the mental health crisis of the young people in our communities. Creating an alliance of businesses, schools, therapists and others who simply care about the well-being of kids, is an act of pure joy for Rich (and the jaunty crew of pirates he has brought to life).
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Sandy Brice is a Behavioral Specialist in Holland where she specializes in trauma informed practices for parents, foster families, and community members. Sandy focuses on developmental social and emotional interventions for children and youth. As a parent and involved community member in Ottawa County, Sandy is happy to be on board as the Pirate Project Manager
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When I was asked to help out with a real life version of the book, I thought to myself that it was like a dream come true! I get to be a real pirate! My wife Tonya and I have been foster and adoptive parents and have really appreciated the support Bethany gave us over the years. Helping out in this creative way of fundraising is a blast! www.857roof.com
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For over 16 years Carolyn has been creating art in Holland designed to visualize her whimsical and bright personality. She has partnered with the Pirate Project to provide the illustrations because she knows the importance of fully caring for all kids in our community. www.carolynstich.com
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There are a number of area business partners that are proudly sponsoring with the counseling team of Bethany Christian Services to provide an additional (1000) hours of highly-skilled and compassionate counseling services in the office and in school locations for the children and youth of the Holland area impacted by the mental health crisis in the US.
3 Flowers Farm CapTrust Financial Advisors Countryside Greenhouse Hope College Economics and Business Department Kyle Geenen Group Holland Litho Lakeshore Commercial Real Estate BVW Property Management Tip Toes TNT Roofing Velo Kids Carolyn Stich
