Interlake children will have sweet dreams while they doze in their own bed provided by a grassroots organization that aims to ensure no kid sleeps on the floor.
The kids are all smiles when they receive their new hand-built bed, completed with bedding and a comfy quilt
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a volunteer-run non-profit organization that’s dedicated to building, assembling and delivering bunk beds to children and families in need. The organization continues to grow, with chapters opening across Canada and the U.S. to serve more communities.
Since the Interlake chapter launched in April, president Diane Fjeld has been busy fielding requests for the single beds.
“This is the first rural chapter in Canada. All the other chapters are urban,” she said.
“I’m getting requests all the time. The first requests came from Stonewall, Stony Mountain, Fisher Branch, Peguis — all on the west side. They’re for anybody who needs it.”
These bed requests come from people in all sorts of different situations, she said. For example, the organization might help families who have lost their home in a fire or newcomers who are getting set up in their new community. In cases of marital breakdown with shared custody, there might be a need to furnish a second residence.
They also get referrals from social services, Manitoba Housing and women’s shelters for mothers who are fleeing domestic violence with their children.
“There are all kinds of circumstances, but we’re not here to be judgmental,” she said. “We’re here to make sure every kid has got a bed. That’s the bottom line.”
Using top-notch materials, volunteers build the twin beds from scratch using a template. They build the headboards and footboards using jigs, wood and screws, and they leaving the rest in pieces to assemble during delivery.
In addition to a brand new bed, the recipients also receive all-new mattresses, pillows, sheets, a comforter and a quilt.
“Smitty’s Furniture and Appliances in Arborg is our mattress sponsor, and we have a lumber supplier who gives us a good deal on premium supplies,” Fjeld said.
“Most of the bedding is donated, and we get lots of quilts donated locally by quilters as well.”
However, not all items are donated, so the organization also needs to buy many materials. That’s why monetary donations are in demand, as well as more volunteers in Stonewall, Teulon and surrounding areas. Volunteers can help as much or as little as they want, and local businesses are encouraged to sponsor build days.
For Fjeld, the best part is seeing the looks on the kids’ faces light up when she delivers their new hand-built bed and sets it up on site.
“When I talk to parents on the phone, I ask about kids’ favourite colours. If I’ve got bedding in those colours, I try to line it up with the kids,” she said.
“The kids that we deliver the beds to have been in the sort of scenario where they’ve been sleeping on the floor, so they’re definitely excited.”
Whether you’d like to make a donation or become a volunteer, it can all be done through the Interlake chapter’s online portal at shpbeds.ca. Anyone who would like to learn more or get involved can also call Fjeld at 204-519-2451.
Applications can be submitted through referrals or as a recipient. The applicants must be the legal guardians of children aged three to 17. Recipients need to live in the active chapter area and have an accessible home with space for a bed. Anyone who would like to apply can complete the online form at shpbeds.ca.
