By Mary Bishop
This past August, a group of about 40 people helped build beds for kids who don’t have one. This was the first ever “bed build” for Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s (SHP) San Diego Chapter. Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) believes that a bed is a basic need for the proper physical, emotional, and mental support of a child. All children deserve a safe, comfortable place to lay their heads. SHP schedules “bed-builds” in parking lots along with a group of dedicated volunteers to build, assemble, and deliver top-notch beds to children and families in need.
Volunteers at the 1st North County bed build consisted of every age, spanning from 4yrs to 80yrs of age. The bed build was well organized and structured with an assembly line consisting of key stations to make volunteering easy for all ages. There was a miter saw cutting station, sanding station, headboard assembly station, and the branding station. The beds are partially assembled during the build, while the final assembly takes place inside the family’s home. No experience is necessary as everyone has a chance to learn how to use the woodworking tools (saws, drills, sanders, hammers and many other pieces of equipment).
Applying for a bed is really simple. There is a form that one fills out on the SHP website where the registrant describes their current sleeping situation. After the application is received, a team member from SHP contacts them to talk through the details. Currently, they are accepting applications from Oceanside and Vista residents.
Bed delivery is where the magic happens. Another group of dedicated volunteers gets together to deliver and assemble the bed at the family’s home. You get to witness the laughter and sparkle in a child’s eye as they watch their bed being built. The children receiving these beds have typically been sleeping on the floor, the couch or sharing a bed with someone. What child wouldn’t be excited about receiving a new bed complete with new pillows and bedding? They even get to help with the assembly, which is like the cherry on top.
The cost to build a bed is about $250. This includes lumber (discounted from Lowe’s), mattress, sheets, comforter and a pillow. Sleep in Heavenly Peace has partnered with Lowes in order to receive a discount on the lumber, and the first 10 mattresses, sheets and pillows are currently being donated by Ashley Furniture.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace has over 200 chapters around the U.S. The August bed build was orchestrated by Steve and Marie Hoveln who started this new chapter for San Diego North County. If you’d like to get involved or support this organization, there are a few ways.
A monetary donation or Lowe’s gift card allows them to purchase more materials and build more beds for kids in North County.
Sign up to help with the next bed build on September 10th. It’ll take place in the parking lot at North Coast Church in Vista from 9am-12pm. It will be rescheduled in the event of rain.
Check out their website to learn more about Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
