Thanks to the efforts of 85 volunteers who gathered at the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) parking lot in Whitesboro last Saturday, children in area families will be sleeping in an actual bed at night.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is an American nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that builds and delivers bunk beds to children who don’t have beds to sleep in. Founded in 2012, the volunteer-driven organization has chapters across the country who work to ensure that “no kid sleeps on the floor in our town.”
Last Saturday, Sept. 14, SHP partnered with Young Men’s Service League (YMSL), a non-profit service organization for mothers and their teenage sons who volunteer together through their four years of high school.
When SHP realized their Bunks Across America event (an annual National Build Day for the organization) aligned with YMSL’s National Day of Service, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to join forces.
“We’re honored to be part of this today,” YMSL Board President Jennifer Bossen said. “It’s fun to be able to give back.”
Six YMSL chapters were represented on Saturday. Under adult supervision (including some former shop teachers), volunteers cut, sanded, assembled and branded wood that would eventually become bunk beds.
“The boys love it,” SHP Whitesboro Chapter Co-President Larry Worthy said of Saturday’s volunteers. “They’re using power saws and DEWALT drills. Moms are out here using power tools.”
“And it’s neat to see the older men teaching the younger men these skills,” Bossen said.
Since January, SHP has provided 100 beds to Grayson and Cooke County families. There are nearly 100 still on the wait list.
“We had no idea when we started there was such a need here [in Whitesboro],” Worthy said.
Whitesboro resident and single mom Victoria Huneycut was overwhelmed to be selected as a bed recipient last May.
“Sleep in Heavenly Peace of Whitesboro was a huge blessing to my children and me during a very hard time in our life,” Huneycutt said. “We are blessed with such an amazing community that circles around helping their own, especially the children. They were very informative, on time, kind and very loving to my wild children. Thank you forever, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, for being such an asset to this community!”
The majority of the supplies and materials to create these beds are donated, from lumber to bedding. SHP meets about 10 times a year to work on these beds, and they provide everything from start to finish.
“From delivery and assembly to putting cases on pillows, we do everything,” Worthy said, “and all it takes is about 10 minutes per bed.”
SHP needs volunteers. To sign up to help this organization, visit www.SHPbeds.org and choose Whitesboro from the drop-down menu at the top left of the page.
“Not only is SHP amazingly organized and efficient, you don’t need any prior experience,” Bossen said. “They’ll teach you everything you need to know to complete these projects.”
The organization also needs donations. Because SHP is a volunteer-driven organization, 100% of donations go toward building children’s bunk beds. From financial contributions to materials and supplies, every little bit makes a big difference.
Lastly, SHP wants the community to help spread the word that this service is available for local families.
“We’ve been in homes that don’t have a single piece of furniture,” Worthy said, “and we’ve been in homes where a mom and her five kids are sharing a King-sized bed. Every child deserves a safe place to sleep.”
If you or someone you know could benefit from SHP, please visit www.SHPbeds.org to apply for a bed.
