The Spring-area nonprofit that has built 10,000 beds for children who didn't have one is adding Wednesday morning volunteer shifts, opening the door for retirees, homeschool families and flexible workers who can't make weekends.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace Houston North announced the midweek expansion on Aug. 19, according to My Neighborhood News. The chapter's next open event is a community bed build on Saturday, Sept. 12, at its permanent facility at 13000 Jones Road in Houston.
No woodworking experience is required. Volunteers work through an assembly-line process: preparing lumber, sanding, drilling and finishing twin bed frames that are later delivered, with mattresses and bedding, to children ages 3–17 sleeping on floors, couches or shared beds.
10,000 beds and counting
Co-founders Gary Akin and Nikki Akin launched the Houston North chapter in 2018 after Gary saw social media coverage of the national organization, which began in Twin Falls, Idaho, in 2012. The chapter operates out of the Jones Road facility and serves Spring, Cypress and northwest Houston.
In July, the chapter hit a milestone: its 10,000th bed, built during a community event at The MET Church with support from Abacus Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electrical and dozens of volunteers. KPRC reported the milestone on July 10.
"Being there for the 10,000th bed made an already meaningful day even more special for our team," Tony Patiño, president of Abacus Plumbing, said in an Aug. 17 press release marking the event.
Why Wednesday mornings
The chapter's announcement framed the new slots as a way to reach people whose schedules don't fit Saturday builds: retirees, parents with school-day availability, shift workers and civic groups. A specific start date for the Wednesday sessions has not been announced; the chapter's official page will list dates as they are confirmed.
Nationally, Sleep in Heavenly Peace reports more than 102,000 children still waiting for beds.
How to get involved
- Community bed build: Saturday, Sept. 12, at 13000 Jones Road, Houston, TX 77070
- Bedding donations: New twin-size sheets, pillows and bedding accepted; drop-off details on the chapter page
- Corporate or group builds: Organizations can sponsor private build events
- Delivery volunteers: Help assemble completed beds in children's homes on delivery days
The chapter also lists a build event for Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Jones Road facility.
