Local non-profit chapter builds beds for those in need

Our beds can be a place of sanctuary, a place to look forward to at the end of the day. For many local children, that sanctuary does not exist. Instead, they sleep on their couch or even the floor. John and Joy Jackson of Hartselle are working to change that.

While watching the television show, Returning the Favor, the Jacksons learned about the work of Sleep in Heavenly Peace and decided to start a local chapter in Hartselle. “Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a non-profit organization and a national organization. My husband started a chapter for Hartselle, and basically we build beds and deliver them to children that do not have them,” Joy said.

The beds are all built by local volunteers using monetary and supply donations. The Sleep in Heavenly Peace volunteers get together to build beds and then deliver them to the kids in need.

Joy said that the first work session they built 10 bunk beds. “A lot of our friends and neighbors wanted to help. It was basically a practice run to learn and perfect the process. It was a lot of fun and we learned so much. We learned what was getting backed up and what worked best,” Joy said.

One thing that surprised the Jacksons, was the amount of need in the local area. Joy said that beds were requested from Anniston to Hartselle. With more funds, they are hoping to be able to better meet the need. “We did not think there would be as big of a local need as there is, but we talked to a teacher that knew of three students that needed a bed. It was shocking. You know it probably happens in the area, but it is not as known,” she said.

Joy says the beds give the children their own space. “The kids can take ownership in the bed because it is specially made for them. If a child is sleeping on the couch or on the floor they don’t have something of their own, this gives them something of their own,” Joy said.

Joy says the volunteer experience is also rewarding. “It is exciting, a lot of work, but good work. It was good for our family to get everyone involved in something that is not about them. We have teenagers, and it was good to see them working. It really is easy, teens can do it, and it is a lot of fun,” she said.

The organization has already had several donations and shows of support to help them get started. The quilting guild is making quilts for the beds, and several businesses have donated mattresses or other supplies.

Mattress Firm of Cullman donated 10 twin-sized mattresses to the cause. Rickey Foster is the store manager at Mattress Firm and said that Sleep in Heavenly Peace was the perfect partner. “I saw them on Facebook one day. I read more about it, and it just seemed like a slam dunk. It was definitely something we could help with,” Foster said.

Foster said that he tries to use as much of his charity budget as possible towards the community. He felt that Sleep in Heavenly Peace was particularly special for helping local children. “Any organization that helps children is ideal. We want to help children because they do not have a voice,” Foster said.

Foster quoted The Wee Free Men by Sir Terry Pratchett, “Them as can do has to do for them as can’t. And someone has to speak up for them as has no voices.”

Joy said that they are also looking for new twin sheets, comforters, and pillows to go on the beds. They also accept tax-deductible monetary donations at P.O. Box 1852, Hartselle, AL 35640. Individuals interested in getting involved can contact the organization through email at john.jackson@shpbeds.org or by checking out the group Facebook page at Sleep in Heavenly Peace Hartselle.

“It is something so simple, but something we take for granted,” Joy said.