NovDec 2021 The Holiday Issue | Page 37

Siblings Brooklynn and Kingston Knight enjoy their new SHP bunk bed . together but are all smiles once the beds were assembled , especially when the siblings see their new bedding . “ Orange is my favorite color !” Brooklynn exclaims , choosing the coral fleece blanket over the gray plaid . She remarks that the beds are better than those that could be purchased at the store . She initially chooses the top bunk , but eventually she switches with her brother . “ He and the cat have the top bunk ,” Gloria says with a chuckle .
The family has more room to move about now with their beds stacked and the air mattress out of the way . The children love their beds , Gloria says , and Brooklynn has decided to paint them . For Gloria , along with the bed came some peace .
“ I worry a little bit less now ,” she says . IN by delivery coordinator , Edie Hammond . Terry Sheeley is the point person for bedding , and her husband Gary helps with the builds as well as deliveries . It takes approximately an hour to assemble each bed , which can be stacked into bunk beds ; this allows for more space in small bedrooms .
“ The volunteer aspect of this organization , I think , is important ,” Joel says . “ When you come inside someone ’ s home , they know you care .”
Prior to moving to their upstairs Bryan apartment , Gloria Knight and her children , Brooklynn , age 12 , and Kingston , age 10 , were living in a trailer that suffered water damage . In addition to forcing them to move , it ruined Brooklyn ’ s bed , so she slept on an air mattress that had been given to her .
“ She slept on it for about six months ,” Gloria says . “ My daughter always would say the air bed hurts her back , and she didn ’ t sleep well ,” she remembers . “ That would worry me because I knew she would have school the next day , and she can ’ t give it her all if she ’ s restless .”
Meanwhile , Kingston ’ s bed took up the dining room of the tiny , two-bedroom flat . During that time , Gloria heard about Sleep in Heavenly Peace and requested bunk beds from the organization , then waited until their beds were ready .
The volunteers arrive at the Knights ’ home on a Saturday morning in October . The children are quiet as the beds re put
Volunteers who want to participate in build days can click on the I Heart to Help section of IHeartBryanEvents . com and look for the SHP sign-up page with upcoming dates and times .
The next build date is on Saturday , November 13 from 8:30 a . m . to noon at the Habitat for Humanity Warehouse , 509 S . Bryan Avenue , Bryan .
Physical donations of new items can be made by contacting Joel Hammond at joel . hammond @ shpbeds . org or by calling or texting ( 979 ) 412-3141 .
Cash donations can be made through the SHP website .
For more information , visit shpbeds . org / chapter / tx-college-station .
Volunteers participate in SHP build days at the BCS Habitat for Humanity warehouse . insitebrazosvalley . com 37