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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJohnny Collins, the co-builder manager and installation manager for the local program, said HOMOC\u2019s satellite chapter started locally in spring 2022, and from September 2022 through September 2023, teams have installed 205 beds for area children ages 3 to 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tina Hudson of HOMOC and LC area coordinator for the satellite chapter said, \u201cSleep in Heavenly Peace has been a true eye-opener for me and the need in our community for a clean, safe bed for children to sleep in. It\u2019s such a basic need, and many of us have several extra beds in our own homes, but to know that children are sleeping in such deplorable conditions in our own community has spurred me on to want to do more.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Collins agrees. \u201cI\u2019ve been involved with children and youth for over 25 years through the church, ballparks, and other community outreach programs. It wasn\u2019t until I got involved with SHP that I realized the need that was there. It\u2019s just something we take for granted,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many ways to get involved in SHP. There are build days that provide opportunities for individuals, groups, and organizations to assist with the construction of the beds. On installation days, teams go into the child\u2019s home and set up the bed, complete with a new mattress and bedding. HOMOC accepts donations of new twin bedding suitable for children and teens and monetary contributions at any time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019m blessed to be able to work on the build team and the install team as the installation coordinator. Many of these children have never had a bed before, and seeing tears in their eyes and how they can\u2019t speak sometimes is like the best Christmas ever. Even teenagers who have never had a bed get their own,\u201d said Collins. \u201cThere are so many impacts of child sleep deprivation. It affects them socially, psychologically, and mainly academically. Basically, a child who doesn\u2019t sleep can\u2019t remember things in school. They get tired, struggle with behavioral issues, and are more prone to be sick. There are so many aspects of sleep deprivation. This goes way beyond the smile and the tears. It\u2019s putting hope in those situations because a lot of these families are really trying, and they just can\u2019t make it. It never cost more to live than today, and this is one way we can extend some hope to a family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hudson and Collins are excited to share the program with area churches and organizations that want more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They welcome participation and donations. They also need your help spreading the word about the availability of beds through the program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Collins said, \u201cIt\u2019s not something that comes up in normal conversation. Pride plays a role in that because folks just don\u2019t like to admit that they need help sometimes. But these days, it\u2019s okay to say I need help, and I need a little assistance. That\u2019s what we\u2019re here for \u2014 to assist and to help and give that family a fresh start and a new perspective, letting them know that there is hope out there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s help and hope carried on the wings of your donations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI want to thank all our volunteers for giving up their time to come out and work on build days and completing the installs. This ministry couldn\u2019t function without them,\u201d said Collins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hudson said, \u201cWe can\u2019t thank the community enough for their support of this ministry, whether through monetary donations, bedding\/pillow drives, or hosting a build day. It\u2019s just been great!\u201d GN<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THE SILVER moon projects a light show of dancing branches upon the curtain, a winter waltz accompanied by the gentle hum of the heating unit. Pint-sized construction equipment and building blocks wait in the corner of the bedroom for the little worker cocooned in superhero bedding atop a racecar bed. The sandy-haired boy sleeps in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":21377,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21375","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/fayetteville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/01\/3-3-1024x683.png\")
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