Sleep in Heavenly Peace Bed Build Helps 40 Children Find Healthy Sleep in Fort Walton Beach

Thirty Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) volunteers worked together on April 6 to build beds from scratch for children in the area who have no bed. The bed build was staged at DeFrance Antiques courtesy of owners Mark and Stacie Hoard.

The beds were built in the form of 20 bunk beds which can accommodate 40 children in need of healthy sleep. The SHP volunteers meet as often as materials and time allows.

Healthy sleep is vital to a child’s well-being and growth. Numerous studies to include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found that a child’s health in terms of physical and emotional development is negatively influenced by bedlessness—a nationwide issue.

SHP, a 100% volunteer organization, seeks to address that as a local problem. They organize bed builds encompassing the building, assembling, and delivery of finished beds to children after an applicant screening process.

The April 6 bed build was successful due to SHP’s carefully-planned build assembly process and the industriousness of all the volunteers. From sign-in to the actual build and finishing with branding the SHP logo on headboards, there is something for everyone to do requiring no experience—just enthusiasm and willingness to work.

Keep an eye out for the next scheduled SHP Bed Build event as they report they have received more requests for beds for children in need. Consider helping by volunteering to help build the beds and/or deliver them to the children’s homes, host a bedding drive, or donating for supplies and bedding.

If you have child in need of a free bed, let SHP know via their online application process. SHP is adamant that “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town®.”

More details about the bed build process and various ways you can help may be found at Emerald Coast Connected.