Impact Christians in Idaho spark movement to let kids sleep in heavenly peace

My family was not wealthy when I was a child. On the contrary, we were likely one step from destitution, but my mother never let on.

Still, I always had enough food, a warm home with a room of my own and a comfortable bed. Not all children grow up as fortunate.

The volunteers at Sleep in Heavenly Peace have been building bunk beds for needy families for several years. According to the charity’s website,

Sleep in Heavenly Peace had its start like many other charities, in a garage. It was Christmas time, a time of joy and happiness, a time of giving and love, but also a time of bitter, cold weather and snowstorms.

A project, that was started with the build of one bed for a single family developed into something a whole lot more. With wood left over from the first bunk, another idea was created. “Who else could benefit from this bunk”?

A simple post on Facebook sparked an unexpected response. What was thought would be a litter of requests from needy families, turned into a litany of local people eager to help and volunteer. The generosity of these volunteers was so surprising that it was no longer a search for one who needed a bed, but a question of how many beds we could provide.

The beds may not be fancy, but they provide children with a tiny little space they can call their own — a true safe space where they can get a good night’s sleep, which helps improve their happiness and health.

Today, there are chapters all over America as well as several foreign countries. Their mission statement says it all, “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.”

For more information about supporting a local chapter, starting a new one or donating money and supplies to create more beds, visit www.shpbeds.org.