It’s no secret that when we don’t sleep well we don’t perform our best. Imagine sleeping on nothing but the clothes you wore the day before and getting up the next day expected to go about your normal day to day activities. Your body aches, you brain is in a fog, and your attitude is less than admirable. For 3-5% of children across our great nation, this is their reality. These children go to sleep each night with not even a pillow to lay beneath their heads.  “We’ve had a lady who took in her brother’s four kids after he passed away and there are grandparents that suddenly become parents for the second or even third time. It’s a lot to have to buy all those beds. Whatever the reason there is a need right here in Brownwood,” said Robert Clark the president of Brownwood’s Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter.

A conversation with his daughter and a visit with some family would spark a passion deep in Clark’s heart to get kids off the floor in Brown County. He explained, “Two things happened simultaneously, my daughter who is a teacher in Houston was talking to me about some of the challenges her students face and how grateful she is to have had a, “normal childhood.” She didn’t have to worry about having food to eat, clean clothes, or whether she had a bed to sleep on.” Clark stated that after this conversation, the very next day his brother and sister in law were in town visiting and they shared with him a story about a charity in Idaho that builds beds for kids. Clark went straight to the internet to look up this Sleep in Heavenly Peace organization. After doing a little research, next thing he knew Clark found himself on a plane to Twin Falls, Idaho where the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Charity was founded. Clark said, “It sounded easy and fun plus there is definitely a need here in Brown County.”

In Idaho Clark did some hands on training which led him to feel equipped to bring this charity back to his own town. He hosted his first bed build in Brownwood in May 2021. Clark described the bed builds as loads of fun and said, “This isn’t custom cabinet work, it’s simple and straight forward. We provide everything you need and trust me, if I can do it, you can do it.” Clark said a lot of families and people come together to help in big ways and small ways. He recalled a memory of a 13 year old young man who made an impact by giving. “His grandfather is a part of our build team and he knew we had delivered a bed to one of his friends. He decided to take some of the money he made from his hard work showing and selling an animal to buy a mattress to donate to us. He just wanted to help another kid,” said Clark.

“It’s the coolest thing,” Clark began as he explained what it’s like watching these kids get their new beds. “One of the most recent beds we delivered was to a 5 year old boy and he was so excited he couldn’t stop jumping on the bed, you know, like those monkeys in that song.” Some kids are giddy with excitement while others might be moved to tears knowing it’s not just a bed, it’s something that belongs to them and no one can take it away.

Clark said although the entire team is having a lot of fun every time they do a bed delivery they realize how blessed they all are. He said, “Sometimes it’s heartbreaking going into these kids’ houses. You know you’re doing a good thing but you wish you could do so much more.” Clark further emphasized that this need extends beyond Brown County into surrounding areas. “I get messages on a daily basis asking if we are going to be expanding, it would be fulfilling to foster another group and get them moving.”

Clark explained why he began a Sleep in Heavenly Peace chapter here in Brownwood and why he is hopeful one day they will be able to expand. “At this point in my life I want to see that I’m making a difference rather than just handing someone a check. These kids didn’t choose their circumstances but these kids do need our help and we will do what we can.” Clark said they are in need of sponsors, donations, and volunteers to build and deliver beds. If you are interested in making a difference through a local charity by volunteering, making a donation, or hosting a bed build please contact Robert Clark at 325-430-8960 or visit their Facebook page, Sleep in Heavenly Peace-TX, Brownwood.

To apply for a bed visit shpbeds.org