Everyone deserves the right to have a safe and comfortable place to sleep, but this is not always the case for people across the globe.
Sleep in Heavenly is a global initiative that raises funds, constructs, and gifts beds at no cost to children and their families who are in need.
Their motto is, “no kids sleep on the floor in our town,” and a local from Gimli is wanting to do just that.
Diane Fjeld is wanting to start up a Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter in Gimli and needs your help.
“There is only one chapter in Winnipeg and I would like to have a second chapter in Manitoba,” she said.
Fjeld is looking for a small group of volunteers to form an executive committee who will oversee the Gimli chapter of the program.
Once an executive committee is established, Sleep in Heavenly Peace will organize a build day in Gimli to construct several beds for children in the Gimli, Winnipeg Beach, Arborg and Riverton area. Following the build day, beds will then be delivered and set up with a mattress, pillow and bedding in the child’s home.
“Build days can build 20 beds using a simple pattern,” explained Fjeld. She added that all the volunteers will cut the wood, drill the holes, and assemble the beds on site.
Each bed costs approximately $900, but with donations of supplies and materials the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program is able to cut that cost in half.
Fjeld came across this initiative after hearing of Winnipeg’s chapter doing a build day. Following suit, a group of her friends also donated to the cause.
“Someone mentioned that they were making quilts and donating them to Sleep in Heavenly Peace,” said Fjeld.
After several phone calls with Sleep in Heavenly Peace Canadian offices, Fjeld is finally ready to start a chapter of her own.
“I need a core of people so that I am not doing everything myself,” she said.
Fjeld is seeking individuals who are able to assist with various tasks such as fundraising, volunteer coordination, fund management, social media management, and online system management..
“Once we are set up, everything is done online,” said Fjeld.
She explained that everyone will use www.shpbeds.ca to donate, volunteer and request a bed.
When Fjeld fills the executive committee positions, the team will then travel to Fort Saskatchewan in Alberta for training.
“The training is absolutely free,” Fjeld said.
“We will walk away knowing how to build the beds, how to use the bookkeeping system and learn about each other and how to work together for this opportunity.”
If you choose to join Gimli’s Sleep in Heavenly Peace executive committee, Fjeld anticipates a monthly commitment of around 10 to 15 hours.
By simply sharing about this initiative on social media, the community has already shown overwhelming support.
“I have received a tremendous amount of support. I already have a whole group of quilters have committed to making quilts,” exclaimed Fjeld.
She also added that this initiation is great for philanthropy groups and human ecology school programs.
“There is a lot of great opportunities for everyone in the community.”
Fjeld hopes to form an executive committee as quickly as possible as she would love to organize a build day prior to the first snow fall.
“It would be very rewarding to have a small build under our belt,” she said.
To get involved with Sleep in Heavenly Peace Gimli, you can contact Fjeld directly at (204) 641-5297 or via email at diandharv@gmail.com.
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