SEVEN LAKES — When the day is done and it’s time for bed, most of us have a comfortable place to sleep in which we look forward to. Unfortunately, this is not the case for some.
Due to circumstances out of a child’s control, there are many homes that have children without beds and who are accustomed to a pallet on the floor.
The weather was picture perfect on Saturday, March 8 as 65 volunteers showed up at the Grace Church Seven Lakes Campus to help build beds for children.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a registered 501-c3 nonprofit organization which serves children in need and is driven by volunteers. SHP believes a basic bed will provide the physical, emotional and mental support that every child needs.
SHP began with the compassion of one man as he heard of a child in need of a bed.
In 2012, Luke Mickelson built the first bed in Twin Falls, Idaho, to help that child. That is when he became aware of the great need for children’s beds. Little did he know at the time that it would become a national outreach. Currently there are close to 400 Chapters in North America.
Volunteers of all ages lent a helping hand: the wood planks were sorted, drilled, hammered, sanded and branded with the SHP emblem; screwed together and stained making all components for the beds.
One could gradually see the fruit of their labor as the beds slowly came together. The boards even showed love, as it was brought to attention one had a perfect heart shape in it.
The beds are afterwards delivered to homes in need and put together by volunteers. The mattresses, pillows, and all of the bedding is also provided at the time of delivery, making it ready for the child to sleep on that night.
Pastor Jimmy Coxe and his wife, Joanna, deliver a bed to a child.
Contributed photo
Grace Church has helped with the builds before and sponsored the Saturday build. Seven Lakes church Pastor Jimmy Coxe was on site during the Saturday event.
“Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s goal is that no kid sleeps on the floor in our town, and we really wanted to support that,” said Coxe, adding there was representation from the church’s campuses in Seven Lakes, Carthage and Southern Pines. “Lots of people came out today to build beds and bless people. We take this call to be the hands and feet of Jesus seriously.
“I had the opportunity to go on a bed delivery and to see the look on a little girl’s face as she got on the top bunk with her brand new bed and comforter — it was a game changer.”
Tom Bourne heads the N.C. Sandhills Chapter based in Moore County, with his wife Yvonne as his assistant.
Bourne said there are many children on the waiting list to receive a bed. Saturday’s build enabled 34 beds to be constructed which went towards that need. He also mentioned that Richmond County was another area with great need.
“I was first introduced to SHP in 2021 by a friend in Rochester, New York,” Bourne said. “After looking into it and talking to a few of my North Carolina friends, I decided to start a chapter.”
The Sandhills chapter has about 35 core volunteers, according to Bourne.
“It’s been a blessing to us to get to know these people and to call them friends,” said Bourne. “Their commitment to the organization is extraordinary.”
Bourne said there are many requests for beds outside of Moore County that the Sandhills chapter can’t fill and is looking to partner with organizations willing to bring SHP to their community.
“Our goal is to reach as many kids in need as possible,” Bourne said.
In an area with a great need, a chapter would need to start, or as an alternative, a partnership with the N.C. Sandhills Chapter. A chapter is formed in a town as leaders and volunteers come forth with the desire to help. Someone would need to step up to head that area and become the area chapter leader.
There would also need to be a location to store the beds as well as tools and equipment. Donations, sponsors and volunteers would be needed to get it going and keep it going.
“We have been doing this for four years this coming June, and there is a great need for awareness,” said Yvonne Bourne. “We have a passion for this, to be able to make the lives of children better.”
Although it took about a year and a half to get the chapter off the ground, Yvonne Bourne said they have delivered 398 beds to children in Moore County.
“This is just the tip of the iceberg as we have 40 more children on the waiting list,” she said. “The need is great. We didn't realize the difference a single bed can make for a family. It is hard to even fathom that a child can go most of their childhood without having a bed.”
A retired teacher, Yvonne Bourne testified that children who go to school tired do not perform well.
“It’s not just an issue of improving the quality of life, but it really becomes part of them being able to live a healthy life,” she said.
“We deliver these beds to the kids and they are so excited, they tell us they have never had a bed before,” Yvonne Bourne continued. “We construct them and make them up before we leave, ready to be slept in. Not only are the children excited to get the beds, so is mom. A lot of times they have been sleeping in the bed with her, (so) she is finally able to sleep without them next to her.”
All donations that are made go towards building children’s beds. Several national businesses have partnered with SHP to help with its mission, including Lowe’s, Ashley Furniture, Jockey, Flex Power Tools, Serta Simmons Bedding and Foundation Support Works.
“They have been so good to us, but the bulk of what we have comes from regular everyday people,” said Yvonne Bourne. “With all the requests we get from Rockingham, and the need so great in that area, we hope to see a chapter or partnership starting there soon; we just need people willing to step up, and we will gladly help them get started.”
With so many children in need, the Bournes say they would love to see several new chapters and partnerships start up in surrounding counties.
Yvonne Bourne pinpointed the main purpose of the builds: “It’s a blessing to us all the way around; to be the hands and feet of Christ.”
For more information, visit shpbeds.org and those interested in helping can email Tom Bourne at tom.bourne@shpbeds.org.
NOTE: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of a name and to add a photo. 9:42 p.m. 3-12-25.
