Jose Lopez
Contributing Writer

(Photo by Jose Lopez – Core team volunteers going through the build process.)

From the break of dawn, many children groan about leaving their beds in the morning, eager to return after a long day at school. For more than 1,000 children in the Lansing area, the comfort of a warm bed is out of reach. That’s where Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) steps in, ensuring that “no kid sleeps on the floor in our town.”

Since its establishment in 2018, the Lansing chapter of SHP has been building and delivering beds for children in need, leaving a lasting impact on the community.

Humble beginnings

The Lansing chapter of SHP began with a simple but determined email. Jarrod Olsen, chapter president, recalled the moment inspiration struck after watching Returning the Favor with Mike Rowe. At the time, Olsen was building a bunk bed for his daughters during a cold Michigan winter.

“At 12 a.m., I was sending over an email to [SHP],” Olsen recalled. “I said, ‘I know there’s only seven chapters, and they’re all over out there in Idaho and Utah. Can we start one over here?” Olsen added, “I was in Utah about two months later with 45 other chapters who did the same thing. Everybody saw the video at the same time, and it blew up from there.”

After training in Utah, Olsen returned to Michigan with the tools and knowledge needed to launch the Lansing chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. With support from the Lowe’s Foundation and other sponsors, the chapter held its first bed-building event.

“We did our first build at Lowe’s there and realized how deep we stepped into it,” Olsen said. “We imagined we’d make about 50 beds a year. By the end of the year, we had a waitlist of about 700 to 800 kids.”

The overwhelming demand for beds revealed the extent of the need in the Lansing area, far surpassing Olsen’s initial expectations.

“Part of our mission is making folks aware that this is even a problem because even I had no idea,” Olsen explained. “In our service area, there’s still 5,000 to 6,000 kids. Our goal is about 700 to 1,000 kids a year. It’s about $300,000 a year we need to raise.”

For many children, these beds are more than just a place to sleep — these are often their very first beds.

Community effort

From initial build to final delivery, SHP’s success relies on its volunteers and sponsors. “Anybody can walk onto our build line,” Olsen said. “Even if you’ve never touched a tool before, we’ll find a job for you on the assembly line.” Volunteers are trained on-site and supported by a team of core members, including build captains, delivery leads, and bedding managers. Volunteers, regardless of experience, are trained on-site to ensure they feel confident in contributing to the mission.

Corporate and local sponsors play a vital role in the success of SHP’s mission. These organizations fund builds and often send employees to volunteer. One local business recently sponsored a 50-bed build, bringing nearly 100 employees to participate.

SHP hosts 12 public builds a year, which are open to everyone, alongside private, corporate-sponsored builds. “Our public builds create around 400 to 500 beds throughout the year. We have to have those sponsored builds on top of it to reach our goal for the year,” Olsen said.

The Bunkhead Club
SHP offers other ways to support its mission. The “Bunkhead Club” allows individuals to donate as little as $20 a month, which directly funds bed-building efforts.

“That program has specifically helped us. We have about 20 bunkheads in our chapter. Other chapters have about 100,” Olsen said. After a year of monthly donations, supporters will have sponsored a full bed for a child in need. Supporters donating $100 monthly sponsor five full beds for children each year.

Getting help

Families in need of beds can apply through SHP’s website (www.shpbeds.org). Parents can apply for their own children, and professionals such as school counselors can also submit referrals on behalf of others. Once an application is reviewed, beds are delivered directly to homes, complete with mattresses and bedding.

While delivery times vary based on demand, SHP aims to complete deliveries within 30 days.

Looking ahead

With plans to host a telethon on WILX Local 10 and an ever-growing list of builds, SHP Lansing continues to tackle childhood sleep insecurity one bed at a time.

To learn more, volunteer, or donate, visit their website at www.shpbeds.org or follow them on Facebook at Sleep in Heavenly Peace – MI, Lansing.