The Salem Elks has presented a $5,500 check to the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace.
The Elk’s Mike Hooe was about to get the money in a National Elks Foundation grant.
“We are always looking for a way to give back something to the community. Elks National provides all these grants so we’re always looking for a great worthwhile cause to get involved. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is just a great organization. They are doing a great job locally. We are thankful to them for everything they are doing and we’re happy to be a part of it.”
The President of the local chapter Kevin Rakers was grateful for the donation.
“Most definitely one of our biggest donations. We’re very excited to utilize this money. It will build 22 beds. It will get 22 kiddos off the floor.”
Rakers says the chapter has been hit hard by rising prices.
Started out it was $175 per bed. Due to COVID, the cost of lumber jumped up so significantly, we now have to figure it is going to cost us $250 per bed. It’s gone up $75 per bed. I think the biggest jump for us is mattresses. Mattresses when we initially started we could get a mattress between $32 and $56 delivered. Recently, our last mattresses were $90 apiece.”
Rakers says the chapter has now built 402 beds and has delivered 320. He reports 152 beds have been built so far this year, with 177 delivered.
Rakers notes when they started, they thought they could build 150 beds and that would be it to meet the need. Instead, Rakers says they continue to get more calls about children who don’t have a bed to sleep in.
In addition to Marion County, the organization has spread out to Mt. Vernon and northern Jefferson County, and Clinton County which both do their own builds.
Rakers says they have been blessed, noting whenever they have reached out to the community about a need, it has been met.
Rakers reports for the first time they will work with the National Honor Society at Salem Community High School on a December 5th build of 25 beds.
