Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Hoveln.
Hi Steve, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace had its start like many other charities, in a garage. It was Christmas time, a time of joy and happiness, a time of giving and love, but also a time of bitter, cold weather and snowstorms, especially in Twin Falls, Idaho where we began. A project, that was started with the build of one bed for a single-family developed into something a whole lot more. With wood left over from the first bunk, another idea was created. “Who else could benefit from this bunk”?
A simple post on Facebook sparked an unexpected response. What was thought would be a litter of requests from needy families, turned into a litany of local people eager to help and volunteer. The generosity of these volunteers was so surprising that it was no longer a search for one who needed a bed, but a question of how many beds we could provide. From there, the idea grew into reality. We can make a difference.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
From 2012 through 2018 we built beds in our community, along with a few other areas as friends heard about the group. In early 2018, Mike Rowe’s Facebook program “Returning the Favor” featured Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and then the requests from people around the country that wanted to start a “local” chapter came flooding in! Sleep in Heavenly Peace grew quickly as training programs and company standards and practices were created.
We’re proud to have a new, local San Diego – North chapter that is starting! So many great charities provide clothing, meals, and toys to families in need. But as wonderful as this aid is, few organizations offer suitable beds and bedding to the kids in these families.
At SHP, we fully believe that a bed is a basic need for the proper physical, emotional, and mental support that a child needs. When it was brought to our attention that the need for beds went far beyond our own neighborhoods, we stepped up and took initiative. We’re a national organization answering the call to a national problem.
If a child needs a bed, we want to make sure they get one. No kid sleeps on the floor in our town®.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The local chapter of SHP has a wide range of helpful, trained volunteers dedicated to building, assembling, and delivering top-notch bunk beds, complete with bedding and a pillow to children ages 3-17 in need, at no charge! All of this is possible because of the generosity of the donors and Build Day sponsors!
The volunteers are from a wide range of business and civic groups with a long history of volunteerism both locally and beyond! As they talk with friends, neighbors, and business associates it’s easy to promote SHP because all children deserve a safe, comfortable place to lay their heads. These trained volunteers can take a group of untrained volunteers and make beds that will change the lives of children forever! The beds are made on the sites of the build sponsors, not in factory. All beds that are built will stay in the local area, meeting the needs of many children!
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Although the SHP – San Diego – North chapter is new, the need for beds for children never decreased in any of our service areas throughout the United States. It actually increased, because many parents lost income due to Covid-related issues, so now more than ever across the US, too many boys and girls go without a bed—or even a pillow—to sleep on. These children end up sleeping on couches, blankets, and even floors. This can affect their happiness, health, and learning ability.
Contact Info:
- Website: SHPbeds.org
