About Us

Jan Schafnitz-Hogg – President

Jan Schafnitz-Hogg is originally from Michigan and retired to McCormick, SC, in 2009. She has volunteered with Operation: Quiet Comfort since 2006 and has served proudly as President of the Board of Directors since 2010. Jan has volunteered most of her adult life with various non-profits. She looks forward to continuing to do what is needed to provide honor and comfort for our military.

Katie Baron – Secretary

Katie Baron lives in Sussex County, NJ, with her husband Joe and their children. Katie joined Operation: Quiet Comfort in 2005 when her Girl Scout troop was collecting/cutting jeans and holding block and card signing events for the Girl Scout Silver Award. When the Silver Award project was over, Katie continued to support OQC by crocheting lapghans and holding card and block signings. She does this because every wounded hero is someone’s son or daughter, far from home, scared, in pain. In 2012, Katie’s son joined the US Navy, which made the mission of OQC even more personal. Although Katie is busy with family, work, Girl Scouts and the Red Cross, she is committed to sending love and comfort to our injured heroes. Katie has been a member of OQC since 2006 and a  board member since 2011.

Cristina Conciatori – Treasurer

Cristina was born and raised outside of New York City and continues to live and work there. She has been teaching science since 2006 after graduating from Boston College. Her discovery of quilting prompted her to look for ways to use her new skills in a positive way and she came across Operation: Quiet Comfort. Since then she has committed herself to the OQC mission. She is excited to be a part of this fantastic organization and hopes to be a part of propelling Operation: Quiet Comfort into the future.

Jan Houin

Jan Houin lives in Plymouth, IN, with her husband, Ken. They are the parents of 4 children and 10 wonderful grandchildren. Jan has enjoyed a home business as an Independent Beauty Consultant for Mary Kay, Inc. for over 30 years. After joining a local club of Toastmasters International a few years ago, Jan combined her speaking skills and life experience into a speaking business called “Sharing Life’s Lessons.”

In 2006 Jan learned about OQC. With a son in the Navy at that time and a son-in-law in the Army, Jan wanted to do something for our troops but didn’t know what or how. OQC has given her a way to channel that energy. She is willing to share our mission with any size group that will listen, one or thousands, and give others the opportunity to show that a grateful nation truly cares. Jan has been member of OQC since 2007 and a board member since 2008.

Peggy Reynolds

Peggy Reynolds lives in Plymouth, IN with her husband, Mike. They have a grown daughter and a grandson, Kamryn, who spends most of his days with Grandma. Peggy began hearing about Operation: Quiet Comfort when her sister, Jan Houin, became involved. Her first “hands on” experience was when the 2009 Holiday Packing day was held in Plymouth, IN. As all of the packing shifted to Plymouth, Peggy became more involved and committed to taking an active role in coordinating packing events. She has been active in fundraising and sharing the mission of Operation: Quiet Comfort with others to see that the packages of love and comfort continue to reach our injured troops.

Ellie Williams

Ellie Williams lives in Sylvania, OH, a suburb of Toledo. She and her husband Leon have two grown children and seven grandchildren of whom she is very proud. A retired graphic designer, Ellie enjoys giving back to her community and nation using the skills she acquired during her working years. She became involved with Operation: Quiet Comfort by answering a posting on Craig’s List for a volunteer graphic designer several years ago and has been working on the newsletter and this site ever since. She is impressed with the totally volunteer organization, how devoted the members are and how hard they work to improve the lives of our military who are serving overseas.

Barb DeClement

Barb DeClement is originally from New Jersey and retired to Carlisle, Pennsylvania in 2017 with her husband of 27 years. After receiving her accounting degree, she has worked in corporate tax for over 30 years, including Manhattan, Philadelphia and West Palm Beach. While working for a defense contractor, she became interested in helping our military. She took a quilting class and fell in love with it.  Operation: Quiet Comfort helps her with two things she is passionate about: quilting and helping our injured soldiers.

Marlene Green-Chrum

Marlene Green-Chrum lives with her husband of 30 years in St. Charles, MO. Together they have a son, currently serving his seventh year in the Air Force, and a teenage daughter. Marlene learned of Operation: Quiet Comfort during a Girl Scout event where quilt blocks were signed. While exploring the website, she learned about the annual holiday packing event and thought this would be a good Mother-Daughter activity while teaching the importance of supporting our troops. Together they have participated in the packing events since 2014.