OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio — Here's something we may not think of as we lay down in our beds to go to sleep: Thousands of children in the U.S. don't have one to sleep in. But the national group, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, is working to change that.
"We try to bring awareness to the plight of child bedlessness, which is not really a word, but it's a real problem," said Susie Asadorian, Cuyahoga County's chapter president.
It's a heartbreaking problem with troubling statistics.
"At least 2-3% of all kids in the country don't have their own beds to sleep in," Asadorian said. "So they're sleeping in a home or in a shelter. They're sleeping on a couch or on the floor or co-sleeping, or some other kind of uncomfortable or unhealthy environment."
That's where Sleep in Heavenly Peace comes in. The group is committed to building beds for kids.
Asadorian got her start by training in Idaho with her husband last October. She's been working with the volunteer group for only six months. Her Cuyahoga County chapter covers cities across the county. She says volunteers have stepped up.
"We look for sponsorships from companies to sponsor a bed build or groups to sponsor deliveries, where they can come in with their group and deliver as as a group with us," she told us. "We just have had such a tremendous response from all of the communities."
Earlier this month, the Cuyahoga County chapter hosted a bed build at the Lowe's in Rocky River. Supplies from the store allowed 75 volunteers to build 43 beds for area kids. Dozens more were shipped out a few weeks later.
"That was our first huge build. Our goal was to at least get lumber cut for a hundred new beds."
Even more gratifying for Asadorian and her team is getting to see the look on the childrens' faces after getting their brand new, comfy beds.
"It is very emotional and it's the reason why we're all involved. It's the reason why we do what we do."
Volunteers are always welcome.
"We encourage you to volunteer with us, to also come and deliver those beds so that you can see the difference that it makes. It's really fulfilling. And, it's actually the best part," Asadorian said.
If you want to volunteer for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, click HERE.
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