On Wednesday, May 21, the Gunnison High School shop was buzzing with the sound of saws, drills, and hammers–not for a class project, but for a community effort that will impact the lives of local children in a lasting way. A team of dedicated volunteers, including about 40 Gunnison High students and their shop teachers, came together to build 30 beds for children in need through the Sleep in Heavenly Peace organization.

The build was led by Marty McCain, SHP build coordinator for Sanpete County, and Marry Ramirez, the SHP Sanpete program coordinator. Together with the students and faculty, they transformed stacks of lumber into sturdy, handcrafted twin beds destined for homes throughout the valley.

“These students made a real difference,” said Ramirez. “For many of the children who will receive these beds, it will be the first time they’ve ever had a bed of their own.”

SHP is a national nonprofit founded in 2012 in Twin Falls, Idaho, with a simple and powerful mission: No kid sleeps on the floor in our town. Since its founding, the organization has grown to over 200 chapters across the U.S. and has built and delivered more than 100,000 beds to children between the ages of 3 and 17 who are without a bed of their own.

In Sanpete County alone, SHP has delivered, assembled, and made up 15 beds since January. Each delivery includes not just the frame, but a complete bedding set–mattress, pillow, sheets, and blanket–so the child can climb right in and get a good night’s sleep.

The Sanpete chapter, managed under the larger Richfield, Utah SHP umbrella, is operated by local volunteers who coordinate every aspect of the process–from application vetting to lumber sourcing and final delivery. Ramirez leads the way in organizing deliveries and connecting with families, while McCain spearheads the logistics and leadership of each bed build.

The beds built on May 21 will be distributed throughout the summer to families in Sanpete Valley. But the effort doesn’t stop there.

Want to help? Here’s how:

• Donate bedding: Each SHP bed includes fresh bedding. You can help by donating twin sheet sets, pillows, and blankets. Visit the chapter’s Walmart registry at https://bit.ly/3T2QH3d.
• Give financially: Monetary donations go directly toward lumber, tools, and materials needed for future builds. Visit https://shpbeds.org/donate/ and select the Richfield, UT Chapter to ensure your donation supports Sanpete Valley kids.
• Volunteer: Two additional bed builds are scheduled for late summer and early fall in conjunction with Snow College. Volunteers are needed for building, deliveries, and even assembling beds in homes. Visit the website to sign up.

Whether you’re a student with a strong back, a parent with a giving heart, or simply someone who believes every child deserves a bed to call their own, there’s a way for you to be part of this life-changing mission.

As Ramirez puts it, “The impact of a bed goes far beyond comfort. It gives a child security, rest, and a sense of dignity. That’s something every child deserves.”