Chris Piercey Last weekend, we had the privilege of joining a local bed build hosted by Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bend. It was a day filled with sawdust, teamwork, and the kind of joy that comes from giving back to the community.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a nonprofit organization that began in 2012 in Twin Falls, Idaho, when founder Luke Mickelson built a bunk bed for a family in need using leftover wood from a home improvement project. He quickly realized the demand for beds was far greater than he imagined. From that humble beginning, SHP has grown into a nationwide movement with over 300 chapters across the U.S. and Canada. Their mission is simple and powerful: “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.” To date, they’ve delivered more than 273,000 beds to children who previously had none.
At the Bend event, we joined dozens of volunteers to help transform raw lumber into handcrafted beds. Our tasks included sanding boards, assembling headboards, stapling support straps on the bottom, and branding each finished piece with the SHP logo. One of the most interesting parts was seeing how they stain the wood—a natural mix of vinegar and steel wool that gives the beds a warm, rustic finish. It’s a simple, old-school method that adds a lot of character to each bed.
What stood out the most was the spirit of the volunteers. People from all walks of life came together, many with no woodworking experience, and found purpose in doing something that directly benefits local children. It’s more than just constructing furniture—it’s creating a safe space where a child can rest, dream, and grow.
For many of these kids, receiving a bed from SHP is life-changing. It may be the first time they’ve ever had a bed of their own. That simple gift of comfort can dramatically improve their sleep, health, and even their performance in school.
The Deschutes County chapter is doing incredible work and will host another bed build event on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at 3800 SW Airport Way in Redmond. No experience is required, and all hands are welcome. They’re also collecting new twin-size bedding at Starbucks locations throughout Bend and Redmond. If you can’t make it in person, financial donations are always appreciated and go directly toward materials and delivery.
You can find more information on volunteering or donating at their website: https://shpbeds.org/chapter/or-deschutes-co/.
Giving back like this is truly good for the soul. Whether it’s Sleep in Heavenly Peace or another nonprofit close to your heart, Central Oregon is full of opportunities to get involved and make a difference. We left the event tired, a little dusty, but full of joy—and we’ll definitely be back for the next build.
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