A non-profit strives to ensure no child sleeps on the floor
By Eileen Jevis
Staff writer
On Nov. 22, 9-year-old Laurael and her 10-year-old brother Armond received an early Christmas present. Their mom, Curtrice, told them that something special was being delivered to their home that day. With anticipation, the children waited — they had no idea what to expect. Early that Saturday morning, a truck pulled up, and volunteers from Sleep in Heavenly Peace unloaded gifts that were previously unobtainable — beds.
Each Saturday, in a warehouse tucked into a side street on the northeast side of Syracuse, dozens of volunteers gather to fulfill the needs and wishes of children throughout Onondaga and Oswego counties. With the generosity of local companies, churches, schools, civic organizations, and the kindness of volunteers, The Syracuse Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) constructs beds for children aged 3 to 17 who otherwise sleep each night with mattresses placed directly on the floor.
Curtrice said the kids were happy and excited to see their bedrooms transformed into a cozy space. When their older brother moved out, the children were given their own rooms; however, their parents couldn’t afford to buy them beds. Curtrice is currently out of work and receiving workers’ compensation. Her husband works part-time. “The fact that they were also given bedding — quilts, sheet sets, pillows, and even an extra blanket. The children were overwhelmed. It was such a surprise to them,” said Curtrice. Sleep in Heavenly Peace makes the delivery personal, asking questions like what the kids’ interests are and their favorite colors. Laurael’s bedding features her favorite color, pink, and Armond’s bedding is gaming themed.
Since the Syracuse Chapter was established in October 2018, the organization has built and distributed more than 7,000 beds. This year, they built and delivered close to 1,450 beds, some of which will be distributed by Christmas through the organization’s Magic of Holiday Kindness Program.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace was founded in 2012 by Luke Mickelson, who built a bunk bed in his garage for a child in his Idaho community who was sleeping on the floor. This small act grew into a national movement after a Facebook post revealed the widespread need for beds. Today, the nonprofit organization has grown to 370 chapters in four countries.
Co-presidents Kevin Dudash and Dave Hoalcraft are longtime members of the Syracuse Chapter. Dudash said the work they do is inspiring and very rewarding. “I enjoy seeing each project come together with the help of existing and new sponsors who support our program in so many ways,” he said. “When we have a large build, particularly a remote build, where we are building 50 beds or more, it’s impressive to see an empty parking lot transformed into a work site,” said Dudash. “Volunteers arrive and within 10-15 minutes, a crew has constructed several beds. The completion of the job site is cleaned up, and the parking lot is again empty — but in those few hours, 50 children’s lives have been impacted.”
Hoalcraft said it’s the kindness of those involved that still surprises him. “You may be having one of those heavy-hearted days when things are not going right. You may have a black cloud following you, but when you come here, these people lift your spirits. They lift your heart. When you are around all this kindness, you can’t help but feel it, you know?”
Confirmation students from St. Mary’s, Minoa; St. Francis, Bridgeport; and St. Matthew, East Syracuse, help build beds for those in need. Sun photos Chuck Wainright
Kindness and serving others are documented often in the Bible and shape who we are as Christians. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10-11)
These lessons are put into practice by the Confirmation students at St. Mary’s, Minoa; St. Francis, Bridgeport; and St. Matthew, East Syracuse, who three years ago began volunteering at SHP as part of their service project. The hands-on experiences they receive at Sleep in Heavenly Peace will last a lifetime.
Gary Krajacic, the faith formation director at these parishes, has been involved in the faith formation ministry for 23 years. “One of our Catechists was already involved in the organization and recommended we give it a try,” he said. “From the very first experience, we were hooked. We wanted our Confirmation candidates to participate not only to lend a hand, but to open their eyes to the reality that many children go without basic comforts, like a bed.”
Krajacic said the students learned firsthand how fortunate they are to have the comforts they often take for granted. “That awareness has stayed with them and was beautifully reflected in the letters they wrote to Bishop [Douglas J.] Lucia this year.”
Curtrice said her family is truly thankful to receive beds for her children after being on the wait list for several months. Currently, there are 450 people on the waitlist, and it takes approximately three months for a child to receive a bed. “I’m thankful we were chosen,” she said. “We are blessed to have received this gift.”
Hoalcraft shared what he calls a “delivery story.” He said it’s one of those deliveries that stands out from others and hits you right in the heart. “When you’re building a bed for a child that doesn’t have one, you’re giving them their own piece of real estate,” said Hoalcraft. “You’re giving them their own bed, and you’re getting them off the floor. You’re showing them that someone cares, and you are giving them dignity. Forget about the practical nature of having a bed. It’s knowing that they will have a good night’s sleep. It’s knowing that if they are not feeling well or are ill, they have a bed to go to.”
Hoalcraft shared the story of a 4-year-old girl who was receiving a bed. While he was assembling it, he asked her where she was going to sleep that night. “She pointed to the blanket and stuffed animal on the floor. I explained to her that she would be sleeping in a new bed that night. “No,” she said, “I sleep right there,” and she pointed to the floor again. When the bed assembly was completed, Hoalcraft and the other volunteers pulled out new pink bedding with rainbows on it. “Her eyes changed, and she just lit up,” he said. When the bed was made, Hoalcraft asked her again where she was going to sleep that night. With joy on her face, she replied, ‘I’m sleeping right here.’ In about fifteen minutes, we changed that girl’s perspective. That was her new normal. That’s why I do this.”
Dudash said they receive requests from all types of folks, many from grandparents who are taking care of their grandchildren because the parent is no longer able to do so. “Other requests come from immigrant families and those in other circumstances. They are all in need. We do the best we can to address their needs, and we will continue to do so.”
The mission of SHP remains the same — that no child sleeps on the floor. Dudash said the goals of the organization are to increase the number of communities that have access to an SHP chapter. Dudash estimates that the national organization reaches about 20 percent of the population. Their 5-year goal is to reach 40 percent.
Donations and volunteers are always welcome. The organization needs new twin sheets, blankets, comforters, pillows, and pillowcases. Drop-off locations are on the website: https://shpbeds.org/chapter/ny-syracuse/. There are also links to Amazon, Target, and Walmart wish lists. Monetary donations can be mailed to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, 201 W. Genesee St. #241, Fayetteville, NY 13066.
