Mr. White and Mrs. Carla Haas went looking for ways that our Geometry in Construction students could use the skills they are learning to give back to our community. That's when we found Sleep in Heavenly Peace! We watched this video of
Mike Rowe's Returning the Favor and we were convinced that Mesa County needs this organization.
Mr. Sellden asked them to share more information with everyone about this non-profit that our CHS students are working with in Geometry in Construction. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a national non-profit organization that builds beds for kids ages 3-17 who don't have a bed to sleep in. Since we have started this chapter the energy and involvement in it has been exploding!
Both teachers attended training in Salt Lake City a few weeks ago to be able to open a chapter in Mesa County along with a number of volunteers. They got to build some beds and deliver/setup beds for some wonderful kids who were so very grateful to have a bed to sleep on. This little cutie above and her brother were blessed with new beds and did not want to leave them. Now it's time for us to make that happen in Mesa County.
In order to be successful we must start small and grow. So after consulting DHS we have narrowed the zipcodes to 81303, 81504, and 81520. Note the Central zip codes.
The applications are on-line. The link will not be activated until we have some beds already built and ready to deliver hopefully in December.
We have been informally asking students if they know anyone who doesn't have a bed and could benefit from one. Wow! Almost every student knows someone and sometimes it is themselves.
The process is this. We get donations/sponsors. We build beds. We deliver beds. A twin bed cost $249 for the lumber, mattress, sheets, pillow, and comforter. In-kind donations of new items are always welcome! We are so grateful that retired CHS teacher, Yolanda Crawford and her band of maniac quilters are making quilts to deliver with beds. If you know someone who makes quilts who would like to make one for a child the dimensions need to be:
86” - 90” in length
60”- 66” in width
The very minimum being 60”x86”.
Our GiC is building the jigs, carts, and dipping stations for the organization. We will be building beds as part of our class but that is only one small piece. This is a community organization and there will be many other builds that involve others in the community. The word is getting out and things are happening! It's so exciting that CHS kids, families, and staff are a part of it!
How can you help?
Be on the lookout for kids who need a bed. Encourage them to apply for a bed. We are hoping to open the link in December.
Apply for a Bed
Volunteer yourself. You don't have to know anything about building to help out. We'll teach you! We have needs for volunteers in clerical areas as well. Besides, the best way to feel good about yourself is to go out and help others!
Volunteer CO-Grand JunctionKeep your ears open for donations or companies that might want to sponsor a build. We will always be looking for folks to sponsor beds, run pillow and sheet drives, make quilts, and donate needed items or services.
Donations CO-Grand Junction
Become a BUNKHEAD! If you sign up to donate $20 a month for a year, you've donated $240 over the year which is one bed! It can be deducted automatically from your bank account or charged monthly to a credit card. All the cool kids are in the
BUNKHEAD Club .
Brelissa Robb and Tuscani Ritter are CHS students on the Board for SHP and are going to be posting our progress on this page.
You can sign up to volunteer, donate, and very soon be able to apply for a bed there.
Want to be truly inspired? Watch this "Returning the Favor" episode by Mike Rowe about SHP. It will give you goosebumps.
Mike Rowe Returning the Favor
If you have any questions, come talk to Mr. White or Mrs. Haas. They could talk about this organization all day long!