"No Kid Sleeps On The Floor In Our Town!"
A front door opens and the squeals from just inside feel like they can be heard for miles — Sleep In Heavenly Peace (SHP) has arrived with brand new beds for the children, and the delivery team of steadfast volunteers gets right to work.
For these volunteers, this is a typical Saturday. They’re joyfully on mission to ensure that “No Kid Sleeps On The Floor In Our Town!” The numbers show it’s working: in the four years since they began 1,700 beds and counting have been delivered, work they call the greatest of the heart. This is a story about dignity, rest and how something as simple as a bed can change the trajectory of a life.
Luke Mickelson founded SHP in Twin Falls, Idaho in 2012, and today there are 380 chapters around the world. Here in Waco, the McLennan County chapter was brought to life by Chris and Cindy Taylor, with the help of several members of their church and some neighborhood friends. In 2022, the first build day took place in their driveway, with six beds built and immediately delivered.
Word traveled quickly, and a great cycle of service began. As their operation got off the ground, they moved out of the driveway then into a friend’s barn, before being invited to set up shop at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Robinson. There they continue this important work ensuring that every child, regardless of circumstance, has a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
The process begins when an application is submitted online on behalf of a child in need. The application is reviewed, the SHP team reaches out and delivery arrangements are made. Each bed is made from real wood and is available as a single twin or a bunk, and each comes fitted with a mattress, mattress pad, sheets, comforter, pillowcase and pillow — all brand new.
SHP is entirely run by volunteers, and their work isn’t possible without the help of the community. Grants, donations, sponsorships and time are invaluable to continuing their mission. When the appropriate funding is in place, SHP hosts a monthly Community Wide Bed Build where volunteers build up to 50 beds. On all other Saturdays, they deliver!
Join them today! Visit online to find ways to donate, volunteer or even to apply for a bed. Follow along with them on Facebook: Sleep In Heavenly Peace – TX, Waco to stay connected. Whether you have time, skills or resources to share, there’s a place for you in their mission to ensure “No Kid Sleeps On The Floor In Our Town!”
#WEARESHP. Changing lives one bed at a time; hope built with love.
Sleep In Heavenly Peace
Facebook: Sleep in Heavenly Peace – TX, Waco
tx-waco@shpbeds.org