The local Dent County Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) chapter has partnered once again with the Salem R-80 High School this year to not only help build beds for local children in need but to teach vital skills to local students—while simultaneously teaching the value of giving back to their community.
The partnership with the Construction Trades and Agricultural programs at Salem High School to teach students how to build beds and give back to their community. The partnership was a major success, with approximately 200 students over several classes building 20 beds over just three days, shared organizers. Salem High School instructors assisting in executing the program included Heather Johnson and Dalton Sanders. Meanwhile, SHP members Rob and Anjanette Privett coordinated all planning and preparation for the bed build. Rob was on-site all three days for every class, working with Johnson, Sanders, and the students. Dent County Chapter Co-President Lindsay Case assisted, as well.
The students participated in every aspect of the building process. This included cutting boards to length, sanding boards to remove splinters and stamps, assembling headboards, assembly of side rails, assembly of mattress support slats, branding headboards and staining all pieces. Through this process, students gained experience with miter saws, hand drills, impact drivers, drill press, electric stapler and forge. Upon completion of assembly, the students assisted with the loading of completed beds for transport to SHP's storage location.
The partnership with the Construction Trades and Agricultural programs is planned to continue in the spring with the Salem High School Construction Trades students and instructor AJ Tinker.
SHP Dent County Chapter President Patti McKeown thanked those who helped in organizing the program, “We want to thank the Salem R-80 School Board and Principal Jodi Heavin for making our Dent County Chapter's partnership possible.”
The lumber used in the program came from funds donated to the Dent County chapter from Lowes.
Another community bed build is currently being planned for 2026. McKeown expressed her thanks for those that assisted in the Sept. 18 community bed build, stating, “We are very grateful for our partnership with the Dent County Fire Department, and all those from the community who participated in, made donations, and made our Sept. 18 bed build a success!”
