“We build beds for children that don’t have them,” Kim Jernigan and Maddi Kellum, with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, recently told the Rotary Club of Livingston.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a 100% volunteer organization that provides handmade beds to children that don’t have beds of their own. Not only are the beds handmade and personally delivered, but the program is volunteer driven and partners with organizations, churches, businesses and individuals to build them at events that are called ‘Build Days.’
The Polk County Chapter is headed up by Co-Presidents Kim Jernigan and Kaycee Hendrix, who, after learning about the organization through the Woodville Chapter, then flew to Utah in 2023 to learn more and undergo training.
Locally, the first build was January 2024 and the team has built 64 beds thus far, and currently has 17 open cases.
“There are 336 chapters across the world. Our goal is ‘No kid sleeps on the floor in our town!’ We are an organization that builds and delivers beds to children in need of a bed and a safe place to sleep,” Jernigan said.
The chapter is a 100% volunteer organization, with all donations staying in the community and serving kids right here. All funds are used to build and deliver the fully furnished beds to local kids. The expenses include tools, lumber and hardware for ‘Build Days’ and new mattresses, bedding and pillows for deliveries.
The ‘Build Days’ happen every month, usually the second Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and the group is always seeking volunteers. Locally, the first build was January 2024 and the team has built 64 beds thus far, and currently has 17 open cases.
“We’ll show you how when you get there. There will be a member of the core team at each station. We provide the tools and everything,” Kellum said.
The beds are twin size and come in singles or bunks. A single bed is $250 and a bunk is $500. This includes all the materials to build the bed, mattress, bedding and a pillow.
Jernigan expressed appreciation to local businesses who partner with the organization to help out. Pedigo Furniture and Owen Furniture assist with mattresses and Red Barn Builders Supply assists with lumber.
Application may be made on the website – https://shpbeds.org/chapter/tx-polk-co/ – and shortly thereafter, contact will be made with the family. No questions are asked about money. They simply want to know on what the children are presently sleeping.
To make a donation, to volunteer or to just receive additional information, go to https://shpbeds.org/chapter/tx-polk-co/.
