Just this weekend, the organization delivered beds to CorDarius and his baby brother Ashton. [Image: Betsy Childress]
It’s the time of year for ‘visions of sugar plums’ to dance in a children’s heads–but that can be hard for a child who does not have their own bed to sleep in.
To make it easier, Chattanooga’s chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace is bringing “sweet dreams” to Chattanooga children by giving them their very own place to sleep for free.
On Sunday afternoon, dozens of volunteers gathered in the Lowes parking lot off of Gunbarrel Road to make 50 beds for bedless children.
“A bed gives them their own personal space, and it’s an identity thing,” said Betsy Childress, SHP’s community liaison.
Childress says the organization has delivered over 100 free handmade beds each month since September. Just this weekend, the organization delivered beds to CorDarius and his baby brother Ashton.
Sometimes, SHP gets 60 bed requests overnight. SHP currently has 350 kids on their waiting list.
“We’re barely keeping pace with the demand, somebody’s gotta step up and say, let’s do a build,” Childress said.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a national organization with a local chapter here in Chattanooga. A study by SHP revealed between 2 and 3% of American children are bedless. That’s between 1 and 2 million children nationally.
“Sometimes it’s a mattress thrown on the floor, sometimes it’s a blanket thrown on the floor, and I’ve seen even less than that,” said Al Bowker, who volunteers with SHP.
Childress said the best part about the builds SHP holds is that everyone is welcome.
“Every person, every time they touch one of those beds that’s a prayer for a child that’s gonna get that bed,” Childress said.
Even out in the cold, Bowker says watching the volunteers progress through numerous beds makes worth braving the weather.
“As you see the pile grow, you know its that many more kids that you’ll get off the floor,” he said.
Each bed–with the handmade frame, sheets, and pillow–has a $150 value. A bunk bed has a value of $300.
Next week, the Chattanooga SHP chapter will deliver their 700th bed.
Anyone is welcome to apply for a free bed. Beds can be applied for here.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is always welcoming donations of sheets, pillows, and volunteers to help deliver beds.
You can find out more about volunteering on their page.