The Salem-based chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace joined a nationwide effort Saturday to build beds for kids who would otherwise have to sleep without one.
Chapter President Kevin Rakers says volunteers met outside their office and storage area in the former Save-a-Lot building on West Main to build the beds.
“It’s called Bunks Across America. And every chapter within the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Organization builds beds on this day. Not only across the United States but there are actually chapters in other parts of the world as well. We are scheduled to do 30 beds here today and with that, we are pushing 1200 beds built and 946 I think is what we’ve delivered to this point in the existence of our chapter since 2020.”
Rakers says they are excited to soon deliver their 1,000th bed. The local chapter will also participate in Deliveries Across America on December 10th when there is a nationwide effort to get beds into the homes of needy children.
He reports they currently have 65 open cases they are working to fill across their service area including Marion, Clinton, and Jefferson Counties.
Volunteers work on the frame for one of the beds. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Building beds. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
