Small-town volunteers unite to restore dignity and comfort for local children
Led by Rotary Club of Sisters, some 50 volunteers from the Sisters community gathered in February for participation in their fourth bed build for Sleep In Heavenly Peace (SHP). In the past they joined larger community efforts in nearby towns of Redmond and Bend, cities of 40,000 and 105,000.
Sisters is a small, rural community in Central Oregon, a town of just under 4,000 surrounded by a national forest and bucolic farm and ranch lands under the shadow of the snow-covered Three Sisters Mountains, a trio of dormant Cascade volcanoes each exceeding 10,000 feet in height.
The Sisters club, part of District 5110, is small in numbers, 38, but big in spirit and can-do attitude. They take seriously the Rotary motto: People of Action.
“The Sleep In Heavenly Peace bed build in Sisters was a resounding success.”
Rotarians rally to make beds through community partnership
No more was that evident when for this build the Club sponsored and led the event held in its own town, no small feat given the ready pool of volunteers. To meet the labor-intensive demand, they partnered with Kiwanis Club of Sisters, willing hands to make 35 beds for the Deschutes County chapter of the nationwide non-profit dedicated to providing beds for needy children.
Their motto is No Kid Sleeps On The Floor In Our Town.
The eight-year-old group has made and delivered over 375,000 beds since its inception, made possible by 1.3 million volunteer hours. At SHP, they fully believe that a bed is a basic need for the proper physical, emotional and mental support that a child needs.
Sisters is an affluent community with median income 15% higher than the state average. It generally surprises folks to learn that there are families in Sisters lacking in basic food, goods and shelter. Central Oregon Health Data reports that 8 percent of households in zip code 97759 are living below the federal poverty level. This is down from a peak of over 10% in 2021.
Hands-on service delivers comfort and dignity
Bob Mickelsen, Deschutes Chapter SHP President on hand for the event, referenced the reward and experience.
“Volunteering with Sleep in Heavenly Peace provides a number of wonderful benefits while learning how to build bunk beds.”
“As a volunteer, you will have a chance to learn how to use woodworking tools such as saws, drills, sanders and many other pieces of equipment. You will learn how to measure, level and make true wood cuts; how to sand and stain wood; and even get to see how branding a bed works.”
In eight years, the Deschutes chapter has provided nearly 3,000 beds in a tri-county area from over 6,000 volunteer hours.
Supported by a District Grant, the Club purchased the lumber, much of the mattresses and bedding totaling $4,000 and Kiwanis made a cash donation of $4,000 to SHP to finish the bedding and for future use. In addition, Rotary members and their friends added a first for a SHP bed build with handmade quilts donated with each bed.
Forecasted rain vanished making it easier for much of the dusty and noisy work to be accomplished outside. The work estimated to take four hours was completed early as many of the volunteers had been on previous builds. Likewise, many had woodworking skills that shortened the learning time.
A number of Rotarians and Kiwanians worked the preceding day cutting lumber and generally readying for the event.
Partnering with other community organizations is one of the Sisters club goals.
“This project was exemplary of how a small town will work together in support of its citizens.”
Reflecting on the day of the build, Hal Darcey, Rotary Team Leader, a past District Governor and retired cabinet maker, said the SHP team had the process down to a science.
Kiwanis spokesman David Hiller amplified: “It was a great day. The Deschutes Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace was so well organized the bed build took an hour less than scheduled.”
“Sleep in Heavenly Peace provided all the tools, equipment and expertise to guide the workers through the build. Families within Sisters Country with children that are now not sleeping in beds of their own can be assured of having a comfortable, well-made bed.”
Delivering more than furniture to local families
Since finishing the fabrication, in what Rotarians describe as one of their most fulfilling life experiences, they have delivered and installed five beds. In nearly every case the recipient, one as young as two and a half, was either sleeping on the floor, a couch or cramped with another family member.
Clubs wishing to do a bed build in their area should visit shpbeds.org/chapters where they can donate, volunteer or apply for a bed. There are chapters in nearly every state.
