Macon’s Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter building beds for children, aiming for 100 by December

The Macon chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace started this year and currently serves two zip codes in Macon.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The newly-formed Macon chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a non-profit organization dedicated to building beds for children in need, is hosting a build this Saturday at Fall Line Church. The chapter is the first in Middle Georgia, and is hoping to make sure every kid in Macon has a bed to sleep in at night.

“Within our community, we estimate that there are about 500 children within the two area codes that we serve that do not have beds,” Community Outreach Liaison Tumaini Cornett said. “And there are some more extensive numbers than that.”

Cornett says research the chapter conducted opened her eyes about much the issue impacts children in the area. As an employee of Bibb County Schools, she sees far too often how the lack of a good night’s rest can affect children.

“We know that it affects their ability to learn, their ability to engage with teachers and other students,” Cornett said. “So that kind of drew me in, and just knowing that we’re making an actual difference in the community.”

The Macon chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace started this year. Members say they are looking to expand and reach more children in need.

After hearing about Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Co-President Thomas Kirkendall did research and built a team. Kirkendall is retired, and he says this was the perfect opportunity for him to make an impact in the community.

“What I would like to see is probably 100 beds by the end of December,” Kirkendall said. 

Kirkendall says families apply online. Once applications are approved, the chapter will build the bed and bring it to its new owner.

“We’ll take the beds out, ” Kirkendall said. “Everything they need, from the furniture to the mattress to the bedding. And they will build it at the house or in the apartment, hopefully involving the children, because this is their bed. We want them to feel like they are a part of this as well.”

Saturday’s build is happening at Fall Line Church, located at 2254 Rocky Creek Road in Macon.

To apply for a bed or volunteer with Sleep in Heavenly Peace in Macon, click here: https://shpbeds.org/chapter/ga-macon/