Sweet Dreams
Often, children and their families sleep on floors, couches, or in cramped rooms with siblings. The Build a Bed Program works to fill that need in Caverna, Glasgow, and Barren County School Districts.
40 Beds Built for Local Children
Katrina England
Reporter, Hart Co. News-Herald
On Saturday, April 15, community members filled the parking lot next to the Caverna Elementary gym to make their Build a Bed event a success.
Many children in communities across the U.S. face nighttime without a bed of their own. Beds are sometimes necessities that families simply cannot afford.
Often, children and their families sleep on floors, couches, or in cramped rooms with siblings.
Individual beds are needed to establish routine, develop healthy sleeping habits, promote a good night’s rest, and simply for independence.
The Build a Bed program works to help fill that need.
Terry Smith, who serves as the Student and Community Social Services Coordinator for Caverna, coordinated the event. He had previously worked with similar programs through AmeriCorps.
Smith decided to continue the efforts since they are no longer an option in the immediate area.
The program provides not only bed frames to children who need a bed of their own, but also a twin-sized mattress with each bed frame.
Saturday morning at Caverna, 40 beds were assembled, meaning 40 local children within the Caverna, Barren County, and Glasgow districts will be able to dream from a bed of their own.
40 beds were assembled at the Build a Bed event at Caverna Elementary School on Saturday, April 15.
“Getting a good night’s sleep is vital to students,” said Wilma Bunnell, FRYSC Director for Caverna. “It has major effects on their academic, social, and physical well-being. We have been lucky to partner with Build-A-Bed for many years. It is one of my favorite programs of the year! I am always so humbled by our community and how they show up to help, even if they never see the tremendous impact they make. Thanks again to everyone who gave donations and the volunteers who built and delivered beds. Terry Smith did a tremendous job organizing this year’s Build a Bed program!”
SpanTech, Bluegrass Supply Chain, Great Crystal Onyx Job Corp, River Lake Church, Kiwanis Club of Caverna, BLDG Group, and representatives from Caverna, Glasgow, and Barren County Schools were all present to help assemble beds.
Smith also wanted to thank Cave City Mayor Dewayne Hatcher and the Cave City Public Works Department for helping, as well as Barren County ATC for cutting the lumber.
“It was phenomenal seeing how many people were there,” said Smith. “We had some people who said they couldn’t donate money, but they could come help build…One of the churches made quilts for the kids. How amazing is that? Seeing their faces and how appreciative the families were made it worthwhile.”
Beds were delivered to all three school districts the same day they were built.
“We greatly appreciate all the support we had, and everybody who donated and came out,” said Smith.
Volunteers came from SpanTech, Bluegrass Supply Chain, Great Crystal Onyx Job Corp, River Lake Church, Kiwanis Club of Caverna, BLDG Group, and three area school districts to offer assistance.
Beds were delivered to Caverna, Glasgow, and Barren County School Districts the same day they were built.
Pictured: Kelvin Ford, from the Cave Country Lions Club
The program provides not only bed frames to children who need a bed of their own, but also a twin-sized mattress with each bed frame.
Pictured: Chris Summers from the Kiwanis Club of Caverna.
Funding for supplies and products for the Build a Bed event comes from generous donors.
