TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) \u2014 The Tallahassee Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace is reflecting on its impact in the Big Bend as it approaches its 100th \u201cBuild Day\u201d scheduled Saturday.<\/p>\n
The 100th \u201cBuild Day\u201d is scheduled for Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at DISC Village.The organization has built about 3,580 beds for kids in Gadsden, Leon, and Wakulla Counties since its creation.Watch the video below to hear how the organization has impacted the community and why they still needs help.<\/p>\n
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Tallahassee prepare to host 100th \u2018Build Day\u2019 Saturday<\/p>\n
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:<\/p>\n
More than 7,000 volunteers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nearly 3,600 beds delivered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, almost 100 \u201cBuild Days\u201d after nearly 8 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s an achievement John Cousins, the president of Sleep in Heavenly Peace Tallahassee chapter<\/a>, never thought they\u2019d reach.<\/p>\n \u201cWho would have thought?\u00a0Back then, when we first started, our first build was almost two bunks in over three hours.\u00a0Now we’re going to have 30 bunks in probably two and a half hours,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Sleep in Heavenly Peace builds beds for kids who don\u2019t have comfortable sleeping arrangements.<\/p>\n At least 2-3% of kids don\u2019t own beds, according to the national chapter<\/a>, and sleep on blankets, couches, and even the floor.<\/p>\n That\u2019s more than 10,000 kids in the Big Bend.<\/p>\n \u201cRight now, I looked\u00a0this morning, 125 applicants,\u00a0325 beds that we haven’t even looked at, let alone the ones that are in process to be delivered,\u201d Cousins said.<\/p>\n Their goal is to make sure no child goes without one.\u00a0<\/p>\n Since the Tallahassee chapter\u2019s creation, volunteers have built 3,580 beds for kids across Leon, Gadsden, and Wakulla Counties.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very special for volunteers to go deliver these beds to see firsthand what it means to these kids, and the smiles on their faces to say, \u2018I have a bed,\u2019\u201d Cousins said.<\/p>\n \u00a0This upcoming build, Cousins is hoping to help even more.<\/p>\n Volunteers will build 60 beds for kids in need.\u00a0<\/p>\n And as for the future of the organization\u2014\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIf we had a permanent facility of a workshop, the 600 beds that we’re building now would be double or triple\u00a0because you could build during the week,\u201d he said. \u00a0<\/p>\n The 100th \u201cBuild Day\u201d is scheduled for\u00a0Saturday morning.\u00a0<\/p>\n But Cousins says the organization still needs more bedding and mattresses to fill the need.<\/p>\n Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website. <\/a><\/p>\n Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.<\/p>\n Like us on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us on Instagram <\/a>and X.<\/a><\/p>\n