HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Law enforcement volunteers in Washington County joined Hagerstown’s chapter of the non-profit, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, to build beds for children in need. Meeting in the parking lot of Hagerstown Community College’s ARCC building, the goal of the day was to create 125 beds.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a non-profit organization working locally and nationally through regional chapters to create better sleeping conditions for children. The organization began in 2012 in Idaho with founder Luke Mickelson, who built a bed for a family in need and after using leftover wood to create another, considered who else might be in need of a bed.
One post on Facebook catalyzed the growth of Sleep in Heavenly Peace leading to nearly 400,000 beds delivered to children in need in the present.
The Hagerstown event began at 9 a.m. and was open to any volunteers beginning at age 8, though law enforcement made up the majority. The smokey air conditions did not deter volunteers, though many wore N95 masks throughout the build.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace partnered with the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Maryland State Police and the Maryland Natural Resources Police to create at least 125 beds ready to be delivered. By noon, when the build ended, 150 beds were ready for delivery.
Groups of volunteers split into groups constructing different components of the beds. Walking in, the central area of the lot included many stations, some drilling holes for hardware, or cutting wooden boards down to size. On the left end of the lot, a Maryland fire marshall fire-branded the freshly built frames with the monogram “SHP”, representing Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
A fitting addition to the event, Project Linus also had a booth at the event collecting gently used and new blankets for children. Blankets collected at the event went with the beds to their new homes, aligning with the slogan of Project Linus, “Providing Security Through Blankets.”
Sleep in Heavenly Peace also takes the mission a step further, ensuring children not only have a bed, but feel safe and comfortable. Beyond beds, SHP has programs like Pajamas Across America and Quilts Across America, which fund-raise to provide pajamas and bedding to children along with the beds.
Volunteers are always welcome at Sleep in Heavenly Peace to join in creating and delivering beds to children. Individuals of any age are encouraged to volunteer, with no experience needed! To find volunteer opportunities with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, readers should visit volunteer.shpbeds.org.
To find your local Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter, or for more information, readers can visit shpbeds.org.
