Members of the St. Michael-Albertville, Buffalo, Monticello and Rogers Rotary Clubs along with the Crisis Nursery and Family Youth Community Connections (FYCC) have teamed up to build beds for local kids who otherwise would not have a bed to sleep in.
“You would be surprised at how many children in our area are sleeping on the floor or on the couch,” said STMA Rotarian Kevin Lenz, project coordinator for the local Beds for Kids project. “The Beds for Kids project will provide these children with their very own bed, new bedding and even a stuffed animal and book, so they canget a good night’s sleep. We are providing these beds to the kids at no cost, but to the kids who get them, they are priceless.”
The Beds for Kids project is funded through a $6,000 matching grant from Rotary International. To qualify for the matching grant, each club contributed funds to the project. In addition, Slumberland provided 50 new mattresses through its 40 Winks Foundation and wRright Lumber and Millwork of Buffalo donated many materials and helped with the cutting and milling of the lumber used in making the beds. The local Rotary clubs also have received generous donations of lumber, materials, bedding sets, plush animal toys and mattresses to help stretch the project’s budget.
“The outpouring of support has been very heartwarming,” Lenz commented. “Nearly every day someone steps forward with another generous donation. We’ve received beautiful handmade quilts, teddy bears, and warm fleece blankets. The gift from Slumberland was just amazing and will help us provide even more beds. The need is huge, so we welcome donations of cash, materials and new bedding.”
The beds include a handcrafted wooden frame with headboard and footboard built and finished by Rotarians and other volunteers who have logged hundreds of hours milling, finishing, and assembling, Lenz noted.
“This is a big project that is bringing some big smiles,” Lenz said.
How to Apply for a Bed
To apply for a bed, contact Sandy at Family Youth Community Connections (FYCC) at 763-416-7912. FYCC coordinates with Crisis Nursery, Rivers of Hope, Wright County Human Services, and the School Districts of Wright County and the Rogers area for this program. An application also is available atwww.stmarotary.org/resources.
Donate to Beds for Kids
Donations of cash, and new bedding, pillows, sheet sets, blankets and comforters are welcome. To make a donation, contact Sandy at FYCC at 763-416-7912 or contact any Rotarian from St. Michael-Albertville, Rogers, Monticello or Buffalo.
The St. Michael-Albertville Rotary Club meets at 7:30 a.m. Tuesdays in the Crow River Senior Center at the St. Michael City Center, St. Michael. For more information, visit www.stmarotary.org.
The Rogers Rotary Club meets at 7 a.m. Wednesdays and noon Thursdays at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Rogers. For more information, visit www.rogersrotary.com.
The Buffalo Rotary Club meets at noon Wednesdays at Huikko’s Bowling & Conference Center. For more information, visit www.buffalorotary.com.
The Monticello Rotary Club meets at 12:05 p.m. Mondays at Best Western Chelsea Inn & Suites, 89 Chelsea Road in Monticello. For more information, visit www.monticellomnrotary.com.