It is a heartwarming solution to a problem you probably didn’t even know existed in our community — building beds for children so that they don’t have to sleep on the floor.
Roger Lee Dorsey of Elyria said he was inspired by a Facebook video and knew he had to do something. He found a group called “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” and flew from Ohio to Idaho for training.
The group’s motto is simple: “No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town.”
Ten days ago, he started the Lorain County chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace and already the demand is mind-blowing.
“It just broke my heart to think about the number of kids that are sleeping on the floor,” Dorsey said. “It’s not a city problem. It’s not a country problem. It's a problem.”
Dorsey’s home garage has been turned into a bed-building workshop, their first volunteer event seeing people of all ages wanting to lend a hand.
In just 10 days since their launch, Dorsey said he has received 62 requests for beds in Lorain County.
“I knew there was a need, but I didn’t know how great the need would be,” Dorsey said.
News 5 went along on their very first delivery Friday — three beds to a single mother of four children.
The kids, ages 7, 8, and 12, have been sleeping on blankets for the last six months.
Mom Stephanie Tummel said she didn’t have the words to describe how much she appreciated the group’s efforts.
“I’m just so thankful,” Tummel said, adding that she has already signed up to volunteer at the next bed-build to help other families.
The team brings the beds in and assembles them on site. They also provide mattresses, sheets, pillows and covers. They work from donations, whether it is supplies and lumber, or simply volunteer time.
For more information on how to help or donate, you can click here.
If you or someone you know are in need of a free bed, click here to make a request.
