YOUNG HARRIS – About 100 of Young Harris College’s student athletes volunteered at Sleep in Heavenly Peace of Blairsville’s latest bed-building workshop at Mayor’s Park on Oct. 8. It’s a good thing, too, with word spreading of the nonprofit’s abilities to help families in need.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is an international organization, and the Blairsville chapter serves Union and Towns counties in Georgia, Clay and Cherokee counties in North Carolina, and the surrounding areas. President Doug Murphy hopes to expand into Fannin County soon.
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What started as a goal of delivering six beds per month has turned into an operation that delivers some 10 to 12 every week. According to Murphy and volunteer Ernie Ahlquist, the uptick is due not to an increase in demand, but to the fact that SIHP has spread the word on their mission.
That’s not to say the need isn’t dire. Ahlquist relayed the case of two teenage siblings who received a bunk bed delivery from SIHP because their room wasn’t big enough to support two beds. Another story told of siblings who had to share a queen-sized mattress on the floor of their home before SIHP stepped in.
“The need is constant, it’s just that we’ve found them and we’re delivering now to the needy,” Ahlquist added, with Murphy explaining, “Nationwide, they estimate 2% to 3% of homes have kids that need a bed.”
Young Harris College’s Vice President of Student Engagement & Athletics Emily Carella was proud that so many students signed up to volunteer that day. The last time SIHP came out to Mayor’s Park, young athletes constructed 20 beds as part of their community service requirements. This year, they aimed for a goal of 30.
“When I got here at 7:30 (a.m.), there were already kids from the tennis team here unloading the stuff,” Carella said, impressed with those who decided to spend their first day of fall break giving back to their community. “Our students showed up, picked up hammers and saws, and really just made it happen. I couldn’t be prouder of this group.”
Lexie Gillespie felt it was “super cool” to give back to the community, especially after feeling so supported as a student athlete. Though she’s no stranger to volunteer work, she did note that it makes a difference to be able to see and hold something tangible that can be gifted to others.
“You feel like you’re able to truly impact others,” Gillespie said with a proud smile.
Henrique Borlido has, during his time attending Young Harris College, noticed that the surrounding community makes a priority out of helping those in need, and he respects it greatly. More than that, he considers it a blessing to be able to pitch in.
“Helping others is one of the core activities in life,” Borlido believed while assisting his fellow students assemble bed frames.
For people who may have missed the Young Harris workshop, there are still plenty of opportunities to help. One thing SIHP is always in need of is sheet donations. Most cash goes toward buying lumber to make the bed frames, and Ahlquist and Murphy agreed that Walmart’s “bed in a bag” sheets are invaluable for their inclusion of a full set of sheets, comforter and pillowcases.
SIHP is also in dire need of delivery drivers, especially for the Towns County and Clay County areas. Murphy described deliveries as a quick process, where the beds are delivered and set up in-home with mattress and sheets before the team departs. To inquire, contact Murphy by email at doug.murphy@shpbeds.org.
Monetary donations can go far, too. Each bed frame costs about $100, and cash can be used to purchase further supplies from Lowe’s. Donations, both items and cash, can be sent to P.O. Box 1369, Blairsville, GA, 30514.
Those interested in volunteering for the next workshop can head to The Hinton Rural Life Center in Clay County on Oct. 17. The same hours, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., still apply. The standard “shift” is one hour, but those willing and able to stay longer are welcome.
