Despite rain showers Saturday morning, May 23, volunteers gathered under the pavilions at the Union County Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to build beds for local children in need through the nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
The Blairsville chapter was established in January and operates under the national organization’s slogan, “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town!” It provides beds to children ages 3 to 17 in Towns, Union and Clay counties and will serve children outside that area if necessary.
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Blairsville SHP President Doug Murphy previously volunteered with the Dawsonville chapter, which he said once covered those areas. However, he said growing demand led to the formation of a local chapter.
“We were delivering beds around here like 40 to 50 times a year, and then we saw the need expanding,” Murphy said. “And as people became aware of us, the need was even greater, so we just kind of knew we had to do it. And we’re happy to have so many volunteers to help us.”
Blairsville SHP Social Media Manager Kathy Dillow said the chapter also participates in nationwide build events, including the second annual 24-Hour Bed Build in Charlotte, North Carolina, in April, which involved 110 chapters from across the Southeast.
“They built 10,000 beds in 24 hours,” Dillow said. “So, we came away with 100 beds.”
That Saturday, volunteers built 21 more beds to add to their inventory. Some participants had prior experience with SHP through nearby chapters, while others were first-time volunteers.
“We kind of guide them along the way,” Dillow said. “It’s very easy steps. We have stations where the wood is cut, the wood is sanded, they assemble the headboard, the footboard, the rails, and then we stamp it with our logo, and that’s it. No skills necessary. We even have kids over here helping spray-paint the logo on and pass out water to people.”
Sarah Wood, a volunteer from Hayesville, North Carolina, attended the build with her coworkers from Eternal Faith Hospice as well as her two school-aged daughters, Kira and Kenna.
“We’re helping out and trying to teach them to participate at any point in time that they can to help others,” Wood said. “It’s awesome. I love helping people; it’s part of what I do in my job as a (licensed practical nurse), so I love just stepping in and helping wherever I can.”
SHP Blairsville thanked Union County Farmers Market Manager Dustin “The Rog” Rogers, Lowe’s Home Improvement in Murphy, North Carolina, and Good Shepherd Church for helping make the May 23 event possible.
Applications for assistance from SHP can be made at shpbeds.org/apply. To keep up with SHP volunteering opportunities, follow “Sleep in Heavenly Peace – GA, Blairsville” on Facebook.
