A pillowcase might not be the first you thing you think of giving to someone during a hospital stay, but in a sterile room with little to remind them of home, it can make all the difference.

Quilt with Me is having a “Make a Pillowcase, Make a Difference” kick-off — beginning at noon today — for the American Patchwork and Quilting’s 1-million pillowcase challenge.

“A lot of people can’t afford to make and give away an entire quilt,” said owner Jackie Golden. “A pillowcase is inexpensive and helps someone have that bit of home with them.”

The store, located next to Anytime Fitness off of Godwin Boulevard, is participating in the challenge — which concludes at the end of the year — by selling pillowcase kits for $9 and giving away free patterns to people interested in donating a pillowcase.

“It doesn’t take a whole lot of time or money to make one,” Golden said. “For someone that is a beginner, it might take a half hour.”

Golden is opening her store for people who want to walk-in and make the pillowcases there, as well.

“You don’t have to have anything,” Golden said. “You can come in, buy a kit, we’ll give you the pattern, and you can make it in the store.”

The pillowcases and some small quilts that have already been donated will stay local and be donated to Virginia Oncology and to Obici Hospital. Children sent from Obici to the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters can take the pillowcases with them.

“When you’re sick and in bed, what do you snuggle up to? Your pillow,” Golden said. “A pillow that doesn’t look like it’s part of the hospital can be something special to them and make them smile.”