Excelsior Springs, Mo. (Dec. 15, 2024) — Students in the Excelsior Springs Area Career Center’s carpentry class are giving back to the community this holiday season by partnering with the national nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace to build more than twenty bed frames for children in need throughout the Kansas City Northland.
Under the guidance of carpentry instructor Bronson Smith, the program has flourished in its first year. Smith, seeking a meaningful project for his students, learned about Sleep in Heavenly Peace from a friend and saw an opportunity to teach valuable skills while helping the community.
“This partnership is unique because most of the Sleep in Heavenly Peace build days take place outdoors during warmer months… we’re able to use the school’s workshop to build beds year-round,” Smith explained. “Our students get hands-on experience and the chance to make a difference in kids’ lives.”
In addition to constructing bed frames, the career center’s SkillsUSA group is collecting donations of bedding as part of their community service efforts. Once completed, the beds will be delivered just in time for the holidays, offering a welcome surprise to families in need.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a national organization, is dedicated to ensuring “no kid sleeps on the floor in our town.” The nonprofit provides resources and opportunities for individuals to get involved, from donating to sponsoring build days or volunteering their time and energy. Their mission recognizes that a bed is essential for a child’s physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
Smith says the collaboration has been a rewarding experience for everyone involved, providing his students with hands-on experience while instilling a valuable lesson about helping others. He noted that working on a project with real-world outcomes has motivated his students to go above and beyond, striving to make their beds the best they can.
Those looking to make donations of money or bedding to the Career Center’s efforts can contact the Excelsior Springs Area Career Center at (816) 630-9240. Or, to learn more about Sleep in Heavenly Peace or to find ways to support the local chapter, visit www.shpbeds.org.
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