How did you sleep last night?
Was your gel foam mattress topper comfy? Did you pick the right sleep number for your side of the bed? Were your sheets just the right thread count and made from Egyptian cotton? Did the electronic tilt make watching TV a little easier?
I exaggerate, yes? Hmmmm.
We spend roughly one third of our lives sleeping. Most of us give it little thought until we “age into” the arena of sleep apnea, tiny bladders and not so sweet dreams. Kids? Heck, they can sleep blissfully on the floor … and tens of thousands do. Every night. They have no bed.
Eleven years ago in Twin Falls, Idaho, a young son came home from school just before Christmas and told his dad someone he knew at school slept on the floor because they had no real bed. The son thought it was funny. The dad did not. While not exactly a handyman, the father saw a life lesson opportunity for his son. They gathered up lumber, a new mattress, sheets and a comforter and delivered the homemade bed to the little floor sleeper. The seeds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace were planted that day.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is now nationwide with more than 270 chapters. More than 200,000 beds have been delivered nationally. Most states have a waiting list. The Birmingham South chapter is very active in the Bessemer, Fairfield and west Birmingham areas. There is also a Birmingham East chapter. People can apply for a bed online, but referrals come in from housing authorities, school counselors, churches and social workers at places such as Children’s Hospital. Kids 3-17 are eligible. The need is great. It is estimated that 3% of the children in our local community sleep on the floor or on pallets. The greater Birmingham area has roughly 1.2 million people. You do the math.
SHP purchases lumber and assembles twin and bunk beds at various sites in the area. I attended one such assembly day recently where 55 volunteers of all ages participated in the process of cutting, sanding, staining, hole drilling, branding and final assembly. It was something to behold how efficient it all was. More than 40 beds were built in just a few hours. A core team of volunteers shows first timers how things work. The atmosphere was almost festive. Smiles and laughter everywhere. Please consider volunteering.
Once a week, deliveries are coordinated with parents, grandparents or guardians. Generally, four to six people go on a delivery and this chapter sends three separate teams. They make sure the space is ready for the bed or beds, bring in the mattress, sheets, pillow and comforter and then the pieces of the bed for final assembly in place. Kids receiving the bed look at it like Christmas. It is hard to walk in their shoes, but I encourage you to try.
SHP is a 501c3 nonprofit. It does not have a religious affiliation. Donations come from individuals, companies, churches and civic organizations. It depends heavily on volunteer labor.
Clayton Homes in Addison builds manufactured homes. It is a big business and is always training new employees how to use equipment that is needed in their line of work. In a win/win scenario, they are having new employees build some beds as part of their training. Lowes, Penske, Serta and other businesses are supporters of SHP with the donation of materials, transportation or equipment.
As the Birmingham South chapter has grown, so have certain needs. Right now, they need a secure place to store lumber, trailers and equipment. Ideally it would be at least 2,000 square feet or more and on the west side of town. The chapter leader, Jerry Murray, can be reached at [email protected] if you have a lead.
So, as your head hits your memory foam pillow tonight, think about those who may not have “sweet dreams” on a cold, hard floor. You and I can make a difference, one bed at a time.
Bed applicants may apply at shpbeds.org.
