By: Peter Hightower, Assistant Media Relations Specialist
Over 120 volunteers gathered at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Jones-Maltsberger Road Saturday morning to assembly-line build 15 bunk beds that will be donated to low-income families in the area. These 15 bunks bring the total number built by the San Antonio Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace to over 160 since their inception in April 2018. “That’s over kids who don’t have to sleep on the floor any longer thanks to the efforts of our sponsors and volunteers” said Shane Arnold, vice-president of the San Antonio chapter.
Nichole Rivera, a junior at Antonian College Preparatory High School found out about the event from her Cross-fit group where she attends with Eddie Arnold, the chapter coordinator and president. When asked what she thought about the event she said “I think it’s really important to build beds for people who don’t have them because it’s something most of us don’t even think about at night. Lots of people, especially kids, don’t have a bed to sleep in and we have an opportunity to change that.”
That sentiment was shared by many in attendance. Garrett Griffith and his wife Jessica have been attending community builds like this one for several months. “We found out about SHP through a website called JustServe.org. We love helping out but, since we’re both students, we don’t have a lot of money but we have time to give”. When asked what their favorite part was they both agreed that actually delivering the beds was the more rewarding part. “This is a really good experience coming to build them but it’s a lot more touching when you get to deliver them to people because you get to see the look on their face and how it really touches them.” Jessica explained how it has helped her to be more grateful for all the little things in her life “I’ve never thought about being grateful for my bed before because I’ve always had one, but after I saw how excited the kids get when we delivered to them, it makes me think about many other things I’m blessed with that I take for granted.”
Most of the volunteers were from the immediate area but Sue Wishard drove all the way from Corpus Christi for the event. “I’m very good friends with the coordinators of the La Grange, Georgia Chapter and after seeing what they are accomplishing, I am trying to organize a chapter in Corpus Christi. This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
According to Arnold and www.shpbeds.org there are now 118 chapters across the country that are active or approved and more applications are arriving every day. The charity is now approximately five years old but over 100 of those chapters have been added in the last 12 months. SHP Founder and CEO Luke Mickelson was featured recently on Mike Rowe’s Returning the Favor and he is nominated as a CNN 2018 Top 10 Hero.
The organization’s rapid growth is due in large part to the passion reflected in the organization’s motto: No kid sleeps on the floor in our town! As the organization grows its chapters nationally, the Arnolds hope to grow their network of sponsors locally as well. The cost per bunk is currently around $350 which includes the raw materials, hardware, mattress, bedding and delivery. The chapter is always seeking partner-suppliers for the all of the materials involved as well as monetary donations to offset the ongoing cost of operations. In the upcoming year they hope to provide 300 or more bunks and secure dedicated warehouse space to store inventory and host regular community builds like the one completed today.
Interested donors can find more information at the following locations: www.shpbeds.org www.facebook.com/SHPSanAntonio/ www.justserve.org