Build-A-Bed Project distributes 256 beds

The MSUCorps AmeriCorps program and its partners participated in the eighth annual Morehead Build-A-Bed Project held at the Morehead Peddler's Mall. 

The mission is to provide beds to children who are living in homes with not enough beds or none at all.

A total of 256 beds were built, distributed and provided to families who applied to the Morehead Build-A-Bed program.

The goal is to give beds to children PK-12, who are forced to sleep on floors, couches or in beds with multiple other children or family members. This project has provided more than 1,000 beds to children in Eastern Kentucky since it began in 2010.

Each child received a brand new bed and mattress along with a bedtime bag containing sheets, pillow, blanket, stuffed animal, book, alarm clock or nightlight and a hygiene kit.

The project accepts applications from Bath, Bourbon, Boyd, Bracken, Breathitt, Carter, Clark, Elliott, Fleming, Floyd, Greenup, Harrison, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Lee, Letcher, Lewis, Magoffin, Martin, Mason, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan, Nicholas, Pike, Powell, Robertson, Rowan and Wolfe counties.

“This is a very important project that provides a much needed resource to children in our region. We help families who are devastated by housefires, tornados, floods, and families that cannot provide beds for their children due to difficult financial or personal circumstances. The joy we get to see on the faces of the children when they pick up their brand new bed is priceless,” said Mary Claire Williams, program director.”

“We will never know the true impact this project has on these children, but we know that research shows the importance of a good night’s sleep to overall well-being and school performance. We appreciate all of our volunteers, partners and sponsors. This project would not be possible without the help of communities all over Eastern Kentucky and our sponsors.”

MSUCorps partnered with outreach groups including: Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), Regional Education and Outreach, Gateway House Homeless Shelter, Frenchburg Job Corps CCC, Educational Talent Search (ETS) and Kentucky AmeriCorps programs.

Details about how to help MSU Build-A-Bed project can be found at www.moreheadstate.edu/buildabed.

Additional information is available by contacting Williams at 606-783-2719 or email mc.williams@moreheadstate.edu.