When Dave Elledge began the process of starting a Sleep In Heavenly Peace chapter in Poplar Bluff in 2019, he had no idea what the response would be. But he was cautiously optimistic.
What has transpired has been overwhelming. In a good way.
Since August 2019 the local chapter has built 680 beds and delivered 660 of them. The organization started with Elledge’s church, The Bluff Church, where he serves as co-pastor. But it has blossomed into something much bigger.
“We love that ... SHP is truly a community organization,” Elledge said “Overall, it’s been quite amazing to watch how our community has seen the need and responded so generously.”
The need includes help from the community in the form of financial donations. The Daily American Republic will add to that later this year.
Sleep In Heavenly Peace has been selected the newspaper’s charity recipient for its annual Difference Makers program. This year’s banquet, which will honor volunteers from Poplar Bluff and the surrounding communities, will be Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Black River Coliseum. Doors will open at 6.
The DAR will donation all the proceeds from the banquet and a portion of its profits from advertising to Sleep In Heavenly Peace.
This year’s event is the sixth for the DAR, and we have donated just shy of $35,000 to local charities the first five years.
“As a past recipient of the Difference Maker award, I really appreciate what this award means in our community. It is a humbling honor for those who receive it. Now to have SHP be recognized and honored as charity for 2024 is equally humbling for us as an organization,” Elledge explained.
“I know some of the past winners like The Bread Shed, FosterAdopt Connect, and Boys & Girls Club, and to be considered in that same category as these amazing organizations is a huge honor.”
Sleep In Heavenly Peace builds beds for those in need. The organization conducts “build days” so the community can gather to help with the project.
But a family receives more than just a bed frame. They also receive a mattress, sheets, pillow, and blanket. All items are new. “The bedding that goes out with our beds is all donated by churches, community groups, businesses, and individuals,” Elledge said. “This allows us to use the money that is donated to purchase lumber and mattresses.”
Families who have children ages 3-18 are eligible for a bed. They can request a bed through the SHP national website (shpbeds.org).
Nominations for this year’s Difference Makers opened May 1 and will remain open until July 28. You can nominate someone by clicking on the Difference Makers logo at the top of the DAR’s website (darnews.com) and filling out the form.
Chris is publisher of the DAR and can be reached at cpruett@darnews.com.