Getting a good night’s sleep impacts a child’s physical and mental well being, but what if there’s no bed to sleep in? It’s estimated that 2% – 3% of Northern Utah kids don’t have a bed. The non-profit, Sleep in Heavenly Peace has made it its mission to build and deliver beds across the country to children in need. 

Sept. 14, the Syracuse Chapter will be hosting the organization’s Bunks Across America event in the Walmart Supercenter parking lot with the goal of building 60 beds.

“It (Sleep in Heavenly Peace) started in Idaho,” said Jay Tucker, Chapter president of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. “Mike Rowe (Dirty Jobs) made a video called Return the Favor about it. We saw it and created a chapter in 2018.”

There are 370 chapters across the country, he said. “There are five chapters in Utah. Our chapter covers Davis, Weber and part of Salt Lake County.”

There’s a huge need for beds in all areas in Davis and Weber, said Tucker. “We’ve delivered beds in almost every city in Davis County, even in areas you wouldn’t think they’re needed.”

It’s not seen as a need, he said. “Most people would never guess that kids up the street are sleeping on the floor. There was someone just a quarter mile from my own home in Kaysville.”

Tucker said his chapter has built more than 1,000 beds in the six years of them doing this. “There’s an application for receiving a bed on our website,” Tucker said. “We’ve received over 1,000 applications for kids waiting for beds.”

Walmart has been a big supporter, he said. “Last year they gave us over $10,000 and bedding sets. They’ve donated over $13,000 this year.”

“Walmart enjoys giving back to the community,” said Syracuse Walmart store manager Cody Shumway. “We’ve been a part of this non-profit for just under two years. They came into the store and asked if they could put a display with a partial bed where customers could add pillows and blankets to it. That was our first contact with them.”

They were getting ready to do a bed build with Syracuse City, said Shumway. “We wanted to know how we could help. It was fun, they did the bed build at the city and 50-60 associates came to volunteer and help build a bed.”

All 11 local Walmart stores donated three pillows, three blankets and a comforter set from every single store, he said. “It’s all about giving back to the community. No kid should have to sleep on the floor.”

Jay and his chapter want to do over 60 beds on Saturday, said Tucker. “That’s the biggest ever. We’re going to try and get roughly 110 associates to show up and help out. They’re not paid, they’re just volunteering.”

Stations will be set up in the parking lot, he said. “We’ll cut the wood, sand it and pre drill holes so all they have to do is screw the bolts in when they get to the home. We can be in and out of a house to deliver two bunk beds and one bed in 35 minutes.”

Tucker said they’re looking for businesses or other organizations that want to build with them. “They can donate lumber, bedding, etc. We can bring the materials to their location and build with their employees.”

The Saturday event is open to the general public to help build beds, he said. “We’re hoping for as many as 200 volunteers.”

Once the beds are built, Tucker said they set a delivery day. “Geographic teams go into the homes and finish the beds. They’ll have all new mattresses and bedding so that they’re ready to sleep in after they’re delivered.”

The beds are for children ages 3 - 17, he said. “Some of them have been sleeping on the floor or having to compete for a space on the couch. I’ve walked into homes where a child is sleeping on concrete.”

It’s more than just a bed, said Tucker. “It’s a safe space – it’s their space.”

The Bunks Across America event is Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. in the parking lot of the Syracuse Supercenter at 2228 W. 1700 South. For more information or to apply for a bed go to shpbeds.org.