Lock Haven’s Sleep in Heavenly Peace Chapter Builds 25 Beds for Local Children In Need: Community Rallies Together to Fulfill Increasing Number of Requests
By Emily Wright
LOCK HAVEN – On February 10, the Lock Haven Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) Chapter held a community bed-building event with the goal of building 25 beds for children in need. With the help of just over 100 volunteers and generous donations, the chapter successfully met its goal. Because of the February 10 Community Bed Building event, 25 local children in need will receive a brand new bed.
The Record spoke with Laura Orndorf, Lock Haven’s SHP Chapter President, to learn more about the community bed-building event. “Our goal was to build 25 beds, and we did it!” Laura said. “We did it in record time too!”
Orndorf shared that the community bed-building began at 10 a.m., and the group met their goal of building 25 beds by 1:30 p.m. Originally, the event was to continue until 5:00 p.m., or until the goal was met. Orndorf stated in a Facebook post that she would stay as long as it took to meet the goal as requests for beds had been coming in with much higher frequency than usual.
Orndorf, a former teacher, has a strong passion for assisting others. She became involved with the SHP organization through her church, Great Island Presbyterian in Lock Haven. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, her church’s pastor became overwhelmed with pandemic-related needs from both the congregation and the community. It was during that time that Orndorf had been experiencing feelings of “empty nest syndrome”, as her daughter had recently left for college. “I was feeling kind of down, so I talked to him about what my purpose is and what I need to do with the rest of my life,” She shared. “He asked me if I wanted to take over the Sleep In Heavenly Peace Chapter, so it’s actually a recreated group; it’s a fresh start,” and according to Orndorf, it has been a rewarding experience ever since.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and its mission is to ensure that children have a safe and comfortable place to rest their heads at night. There are SHP chapters across the U.S. and Canada that are dedicated to addressing the issue of children ages 3 to 17 sleeping without proper beds, and through the hard work of volunteers, these chapters build and donate brand-new beds to children in need. According to Laura, “If you don’t have the resources to buy a child a bed, that’s where we come in.” The Lock Haven SHP Chapter has a clear mission statement: “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town!”
Leading up to the February 10 Community Build event, Orndorf expressed concerns about having enough volunteers, but to her surprise, there was an overwhelming response from local businesses, organizations, and individuals who wanted to lend a helping hand. She noted that there were 20-30 students from Central Mountain High School’s Key Club alone who expressed interest in helping. Additionally, several employees from West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. took time out of their day to come and support the cause, among many other willing participants.
Orndorf, expressing her gratitude, wanted to recognize and acknowledge everyone who helped to make the community bed-building event a success. “I want to shout out to West Pharmaceutical, the Keystone Central School District and Central Mountain High School, Commonwealth University-Lock Haven, the Kiwanis Club, Jeff Packech from Keller and Munro Drug Store, Great Island Presbyterian Church, and Citizens Hose Company No. 5 for their support and help in making this event a success,” she said.
Orndorf shared that the Great Island Presbyterian Church recently donated a generous space for the chapter to use to store donated bedding, and in addition, Jeff Packech of Keller and Munro Drug Store donated large shelves for the space so that the bedding can be stored neatly.
Individuals and families in need of a bed for a child can make a request through the SHP Lock Haven, PA Facebook page or through the organization’s website. “We fulfill as many requests as we can using the monetary donations and volunteers that we have,” Orndorf shared. Volunteers are needed not only to assist with building the beds but also with delivering them to the children who need them, especially given that moving a bed into a home isn’t always an easy task.
At the end of December 2023, the application to make a request for a bed had to be closed temporarily, as a record number of requests had been submitted and Orndorf needed more helping hands in addition to monetary donations to purchase the necessary building materials. She mentioned that the application has since been re-opened. “My application manager is calling people now and we’re catching up with calling people who’ve submitted applications,” she said. “If those who requested a bed don’t receive it in February, they will get it by March.”
The Lock Haven SHP Chapter is already looking ahead to upcoming bed-builds. The next community bed build open to the public will take place on Saturday, June 8 at the SA Piper Logistics Building located at 820 East Bald Eagle Street in Lock Haven. Two other bed-building events will take place before June, however, they will be on an invitation-only basis. On March 10, there will be a private bed-building session and on April 27, youth members of a local Latter Day Saints Church will be volunteering.
For those interested in supporting the cause, Orndorf explained that the chapter is currently in need of donated bedding such as comforters, sheet sets, throws, mattress covers, and pillows; all donated items must be brand new. Donations can be dropped off at various locations throughout Lock Haven including Cara Montarsi’s State Farm office, Caramia’s Re-Loved Fashion, and Great Island Presbyterian Church.
The Lock Haven chapter also accepts monetary donations, which can be mailed or dropped off at 127 Tobacco Shed Road in Lock Haven. All checks must be made out to “SHP Beds” with “PA Lock Haven” written on the Memo line. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a 501(c) charitable organization, and Orndorf noted that receipts for donations are available upon request.
According to Orndorf, the Lock Haven SHP Chapter has seen requests for help from communities outside of Clinton County, such as Bellefonte, Williamsport, and even as far as Pittsburg. They hope to expand their services in the future, but Orndorf notes that this is only possible with the support of volunteers and donations. With the community’s support, the Lock Haven SHP Chapter aims to continue providing beds and a good night’s sleep to children in need.
To learn more about the Lock Haven Sleep in Heavenly Peace Chapter and to get involved, interested individuals can visit their Facebook page or website. Chapter President Laura Orndorf can also be reached at laura.orndorf@shpbeds.org for any inquiries.
Drop-off locations to donate new bedding items:
Cara Montarsi’s State Farm office: 358 E Main Street in Lock Haven,
Caramia’s Re-Loved Fashion: 132 East Main Street in Lock Haven
Great Island Presbyterian Chuch: 12 West Water Street in Lock Haven
127 Tobacco Shed Road, Lock Haven, PA 17745
Those looking to support Sleep in Heavenly Peace by making a monetary donation can donate through the organization’s website at www.Shpbeds.org/chapter/PA-LOCK-HAVEN. Checks can also be mailed to 127 Tobacco Shed Road in Lock Haven. Checks should be made out to “SHP Beds” and the Memo line of the check must state, “PA Lock Haven”. Receipts for donations to the 501 (c) Charitable Organization are available upon request.
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SHPLockHaven/
Website: www.shpbeds.org/chapter/pa-lock-haven
