A Hartselle business is teaming up with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build beds for children in north Alabama.  

Lifework Physical Therapy will host the event Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at its location, 913 Highway 31 SW.  

The event is a part of Bunks Across America – an annual effort during which chapters of Sleep in Heavenly Peace organize bed builds on the same day.  

This year, the organizers of BBA want to make history: In 30 states across the country, more than 100 chapters and 6,000 volunteers will work together to achieve two goals: unite the country in solving the problem of child bedlessness and raise awareness.  

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a nonprofit organization that goes by the motto “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town!” It was founded in Twin Falls, Idaho, and now has more than 200 chapters nationwide and thousands of volunteers. 

Lifework owner Mike Tucker said the idea to hold the local event began as a team–building exercise and quickly evolved into something more. The event now will be more of what Tucker calls a “community-wide effort” to rid Hartselle and Morgan County of childhood bedlessness.  

Since the chapter’s beginning, Hartselle chapter president John Jackson said nearly 900 beds have been made for children in north Alabama. Jackson’s chapter is based in Hartselle and serves children within a 50-mile radius.  

Jackson said children not having beds is a problem that is prevalent even locally, and it‘s one that rarely gets enough attention. 

Tucker agreed. “I have a 9-year-old and 6-year-old at home, and they both have a bed and pillow and a comforter … I put them to bed every night and don’t even think about it,” he said.  

Tucker said when the newly-built beds are delivered, he wants his staff to see the fruits of their labor.  

“They say it’s like getting a new bicycle at Christmas – they’re so happy,” Tucker said. “They’re bunk beds – every kid loves a bunk bed.”  

For every bed that is built and delivered, a child also receives a twin–size mattress, bedding set and a pillow. Oftentimes Jackson said he tries to handpick the style of the comforter based on the child who is receiving the bed.  

His favorite part? Seeing the joy and excitement when a child has something they can call their own.  

“It’s fun doing the builds – you get the community feel and the outreach through that – but going to deliver the beds, seeing the end result, that’s the best part,” Jackson said.  

Tucker and Jackson said it costs about $175 to make a bed. Volunteers are asked to bring a friend, a mask and work gloves. Monetary donations will be accepted through Sept. 12 and are tax deductible. Twin and Twin XL bed-in-a-bag sets, sheet sets and pillows are also needed to accompany the delivery of completed bed frames. 

Sleep in Heavenly Peace accepts bed requests from Facebook, local teachers and organizations such as CASA of North Alabama and DHR. “We set up the bed, and most of the time, it’s hard to leave,” he said. “The kids are so excited we’re there, and they help us put the beds together, and they want us to stay for supper.”