‘Build-A-Bed’ comes to Richmond May 11

Local News

May 2, 2011

By Frank Kourt Register Correspondent The Richmond Register Mon May 02, 2011, 11:30 AM EDT

RICHMOND — “O bed! O bed! That heaven upon earth to the weary head.” – Thomas Hood, British humorist and poet

Many of us take our bed … a place of solace when we’re weary, of refuge when we’re ill, or a place we can just get a good night’s sleep, for granted.

Some Kentucky children, however, have no such luxury, with no bed of their own, or no bed at all.

This is a situation that is being addressed by the Build-A-Bed Project, coordinated by AmeriCorps, a federal volunteer program that serves communities across the country.

There will be two bed building sessions in Madison County, during which volunteers will assemble 20 twin-sized beds, 10 at each session, according to Jenni Scarff and Sarah Billings, volunteers in AmeriCorps’ Success Corps, who are coordinating the project in Madison, Garrard, Estill and Rockcastle counties.

The first “build” is scheduled for 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 11 at the Eastside Baptist Church (Eastside Community Church) in Richmond. A second will be scheduled in the near future, probably in Richmond as well.

Scarff and Billings said there are already enough volunteers to staff the first “build,” and additional volunteers are being referred to a larger, state-wide, day-long “build” scheduled in Frankfort on May 14, during which 100 beds will be built.

“We are fortunate to have had an overwhelming number of people volunteer for the first build,” Scarff said.

It is anticipated that about 1,200 beds will be built throughout the commonwealth during this year’s Build-A-Bed session. The project is in its third year, and is expected to be an annual event. It keeps growing in scope from year to year.

“This project is geared toward children who do not have a bed. It really makes you appreciate having a bed of your own,” Billings said.

Scarff said the project is funded by donations from corporations, individuals and community organizations. Each bed costs about $150 to build. This includes the bed frame, mattress and a “bedtime bag,” which includes twin-sized sheets, pajamas, pillows, blankets and teddy bears.

“This is a project the whole family can be involved in,” said Billings. “Kids can decorate the bed slats and help stuff the bedtime bags, while the adults work on assembling the beds.”

The goal of the project is to provide twin-sized beds so that children can improve the quality of their sleep, promoting healthier bedtime rituals and paving the way for brighter dreams, happier days and more opportunities for lifetime success.

The project notes that poor or inadequate sleep can lead to mood swings, behavioral problems, such as hyperactivity and cognitive difficulties, that can impact the ability to learn in school, and increase rates of obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Scarff and Billings said the names of children who will receive the beds are gleaned from information provided by community organizations such as Head Start and local family resource centers.

For more information about the Build-A-Bed project, and to find out how you can volunteer or donate, go to www.build-a-bed.org, or contact Scarff at scarffje28@gmail.com or Billings at sarah.billings@berea.kyschools.us.

Text Only

Local News

Summer break, here we come
Students and faculty at B. Michael Caudill Middle School participated in field day activities Wednesday. Today is Madison County Schools’ last day before summer break begins.

May 24, 2012 5 Photos
City to require pawn brokers, resellers to obtain, report records
The Richmond City Commission heard first readings of two ordinances Tuesday that are designed to thwart criminals’ ability to sell stolen items.
The ordinances will require pawn brokers, consignment stores, junk/scrap metal dealers and other similar businesses to obtain the identities of their customers and keep records of items acquired.

May 24, 2012
County to settle on retirement back pay for two deputies
A settlement has been made in the case of two Madison County sheriff’s deputies seeking back hazardous duty retirement pay after being fired in 2010 by former Sheriff Nelson O’Donnell.

May 24, 2012
Grand jury indicts men in double-murder
Two men accused of killing a Richmond couple for money and then hiding their bodies in graves along Tates Creek Road were indicted Wednesday on capital charges by a Madison grand jury.
Matthew Denholm, 27, and Daniel Keene, 26, were both indicted on two counts each of murder, kidnapping and abuse of a corpse charges. They also were each indicted on tampering with physical evidence and first-degree burglary charges.
The indictments were returned around 2 p.m. and read by Judge Jean C. Logue. Commonwealth’s Attorney David Smith said he expected Denholm and Keene would be arraigned in Madison Circuit Court in mid-June.

May 24, 2012 1 Photo
4 whooping cough cases confirmed
Four cases of whooping cough have been confirmed in Madison County as of Wednesday, according to local health department officials.
Whooping cough, or pertussis, may start out with symptoms similar to a cold (runny nose and mild cough), but after one to two weeks develops into a severe cough.

May 24, 2012
STAFF REPORT: Richmond Crimes
A resident in the 200 block of Shamrock Lane reported Monday that several items had been stolen from her unlocked vehicle the previous night.

May 24, 2012
BREAKING NEWS: Grand jury indicts men in double-murder
Two men accused of killing a Richmond couple for money and then hiding their bodies in graves along Tates Creek Road were indicted Wednesday on capital charges by a Madison grand jury.
Matthew Denholm, 27, and Daniel Keene, 26, were both indicted on two counts each of murder, kidnapping and abuse of a corpse charges. They also were each indicted on tampering with physical evidence and first-degree burglary charges.

May 23, 2012
Kentucky fallen officers honored at annual ceremony
The best part about Alexandria Police Department Officer James Sticklen’s job was being able to work with kids almost every day.
He was the school resource officer Campbell County Middle School.
“He always used to say there are no bad kids, they just make bad decisions,” said his wife, Laurie.

May 23, 2012 1 Photo
Shell beats Mick by 54 votes

Republican Jonathan Shell and Democrat Bradley “Bud” Montgomery will face off in November for the 36th District state representative seat.
Shell received 810 votes in Madison County, beating Republican opponent Nathan Mick by only 54 votes.

May 23, 2012
Woman attacked on Berea College walking track
A woman on the Berea College walking track suffered minor injuries Saturday when an unknown man struck her in the face twice, according to Berea Police Public Information Officer Jake Reed.

May 23, 2012
More Local News Headlines

Local News

Search Results

‘Build-A-Bed’ comes to Richmond May 11

A recent health ranking listed Madison County as the 20th healthiest county in the state. It measured factors such as exercise, access to health care and smoking. Do you smoke cigarettes?

Site Map