FOR MOST of us, sleep comes easily. We lay down at night, heads meeting our soft pillow, cocooning us like warm clouds. Our tired muscles loosen, welcoming the plush embrace of our mattresses. We enjoy hours of rest comfortably without giving it a second thought.
But a few blocks down, a different kind of night unfolds. A young child is shivering beneath a threadbare blanket after a long day of school, tossing and turning, wishing the cold floor beneath them could somehow morph into a soft mattress. Sleep, a luxury many of their classmates enjoy, feels like a distant dream.
We rarely consider the privilege of a soft landing after a long day. Sleep in Heavenly Peace seeks to bridge that gap by providing children and families with the gift of a bed, mattress, and pillows, introducing them to the realms of happiness, health, and emotional well-being.
This remarkable organization sprouted from the spirit of giving during the Christmas season. What began as a humble project to build a bed for a single family quickly evolved into something much grander.
After building the first bed, a question arose. What should they do with the surplus wood?
A single Facebook post unexpectedly brought in a flood of volunteers, transforming a simple idea into a powerful movement that illuminates countless lives. Debbie Edens, a retired school principal, found her calling in the mission of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Following her retirement, she sought a new purpose.
With hands itching to provide solace and comfort to families community-wide, Edens, her husband Frank, and the First Baptist Church Estill Springs started a satellite team here in Franklin County. The community responded with overwhelming generosity, laying the foundation for a transformative experience for hundreds of children across the state.
“The research will tell you that a good night’s rest combats childhood obesity, helps them in school, and helps them emotionally,” Edens remarked.
This organization mobilizes volunteers across the county to build, assemble, and deliver quality single and bunk beds to children ages 3 to 17. The organization, which has steadily grown over time, shines its light within the community, illuminating the darkness, refusing to leave any child without the comfort of a bed.
The first bed building event at First Baptist Church in Estill Springs exceeded all expectations. With over 60 eager volunteers from different churches and the community, they constructed 40 beds in a single day.
The initiative began by providing beds to Rock Creek School, gradually expanding to North Lake Elementary and Decherd Elementary. Sleep in Heavenly Peace has taken root, its branches reaching out to those in need.
Aside from delivering beds, the organization gifts every child with a brand-new mattress, comforter, mattress pad, and pillow. Personalized touches, such as matching bedding to a child’s favorite color or character, add an extra layer of joy to the experience. A Spiderman sheet here, a princess pillowcase there — each gift a key to unlocking a child’s imagination.
Edens highlights the vital role community involvement plays in sustaining the organization. From individuals and churches to Rotary Clubs and United Way, the outpouring of support has been undeniable.
“Someone at the A.M. Rotary Club in Winchester heard about us and made a $1,000 donation, which was wonderful. We’ve had a lot of people really jump in and support us. To put a bed with the comforter and everything in a home, it’s gonna run about $250 per child,” she explained.
Hall’s Furniture, moved by the mission, offers beds at a discounted price. Poultry Electric and Pro Hardware stepped in, donating hardware for the beds, the generosity ensuring each bed withstands the cold nights. Oaklawn Baptist Church now delivers beds around the Winchester area, helping the organization to divide and conquer.
Challenges, such as sourcing mattresses and unexpected setbacks, are swiftly met with even more determination and trust in divine providence.
One hundred beds delivered, with countless dreams to come. Edens’ eyes shine as she looks beyond the workshop towards Coffee County, where children still sleep on hard floors. The first year in Franklin County was just the beginning.
Each bed built is a step to ensure no child drifts through cold nights. Now, the dedicated crew stands ready to tackle the next challenge, building one haven at a time until every child in Franklin County wakes to the comfort of their own bed.
With more donors, volunteers, and perhaps a local furniture store’s embrace, Sleep in Heavenly Peace can paint Coffee County with colors of comfort. GN
