Sleep in Heavenly Peace

As people climb in to bed to sleep at night, an estimated 3% of children in the U.S. don’t have one to sleep in. However, a local chapter of the national organization – Sleep in Heavenly Peace – is hoping to change that for area youth.

John Walsh, an East Union High School math teacher, said he was quarantined as a result of COVID-19 in January. During that time he spent time watching videos on social media when he stumbled across an episode of Mike Rowe’s “Returning the Favor,” which features Rowe traveling across the U.S. in search of people who are giving back to their communities. One of those episodes featured the work of Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

“I said to myself, ‘I know there are kids in my classroom sleeping on the floor. Is there anything we can do?’ So I began investigating a chapter and moving forward,” Walsh said.

After further research Walsh said the statistic startled him.

“That’s 80 to 100 kids in Union County sleeping on the floor,” he said. “If you take a look at surrounding counties, that moves up to 400 to 550 children in our area who are sleeping on the floor every night.”

Walsh said the beds are for children between the ages of 3 and 17 years of age, who are either sleeping on the floor, on a sofa or cosleeping. Walsh and area volunteers will not be approaching children or families about it, but encourages anyone who needs a bed for their child to apply online at shpbeds.org/chapter/ia-union-co in an effort to maintain respect and dignity for the family.

Support

With the help of volunteers comprised of Walsh’s colleagues at East Union and community volunteers, Walsh has started to address the issue by forming a chapter. He sent an email to fellow staff to see if they had students in need of a bed, which inspired others to help.

The newly formed chapter generated enough revenue this spring to travel to San Antonio for training and to complete their first build.

“We did a build June 12th where we built 10 beds,” he said. “Moving forward, we will be looking for donations, whether that be financial donations, in-kind donations and one of the things we will be doing is having a bedding drive.”

Union County Sleep in Heavenly Peace volunteers are asking that donated be twin-sized and new.

“We say we deliver a bed, but what we really mean is we are going to deliver a brand new bed, a brand new mattress, sheets, pillow, comforter, pillow cases, and make sure everything is new for that child,” he said.

As word spreads, Walsh knows more volunteers and supplies will be needed.

“To get the initial influx of tools, Lowes building center has been very generous with Sleep in Heavenly Peace throughout the country,” Walsh said. “They helped us with tools and paint to help start the process. Going forward, we are going to need to generate money to purchase wood, mattresses and to take care of the operation of the chapter.”

Walsh said now that the group has enough to get started, they look forward to making purchases locally.

The Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter will predominately serve Union County, but will also take applications from surrounding counties – Clarke, Adams, Adair, Ringgold and Taylor.

“If a person needs a bed, we’re probably going to try to get them a bed,” Walsh said.

To apply for a bed, go online to shpbeds.org/chapter/ia-union-co. To volunteer or to make a donation, contact Walsh at 641-344-2477.