BUILD A BED

Sleep in Heavenly Peace Program Overview

Our mission at Sleep in Heavenly Peace is "No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town!"  We do that by bringing communities together to build and deliver beds to children who do not have a bed.  At a bed build, we start with lumber and over the course of multiple stations, we turn the lumber into headboards/footboards, side rails, and slats.  We deliver twin size single and bunk beds to children ages 3-17 who do not have a bed.  Each bed is assembled with a mattress, sheets, blanket, and pillow.  We started this NJ chapter in September of 2024, and have delivered 196 beds to date.

https://shpbeds.org/

The Knights are behind the Build a Bed Program at St. Joe’s  

In early 2025, the Millstone Valley Knights of Columbus connected with the Sleep in Heavenly Peace organization to learn more about the Build a Bed program. Knowing that this was the type of event that is in line with other Knights and parish programs to support those in need, it was a great opportunity to pursue. After some further diligence, the Knights connected with the local SHP chapter to begin discussions about what it takes to host a build event. With all the details in hand the Grand Knight presented the concept and an outline of plans to Fr. Hank. It was immediately met with similar enthusiasm and desire to proceed. Working closely with the parish’s Social Concerns leader, Victor Fung, several Knights were identified to coordinate the planning, lead communications to engage the parishioners, secure volunteers, and facilitate the event on May 2, 2026.  

Cost of the Event

Typically, each bed requires a financial commitment from the sponsors or volunteers of the event. The per bed fee covers the cost of the lumber, equipment, mattress, pillows and bedding. To cover the cost, program sponsors may request a donation from volunteers or from other sources. For the parish build event at St. Josephs, the costs are being fully covered by a donation from the Millstone Valley Knights and donations provided by St. Joe’s. There are no costs to the build event volunteers who will participate in the event on May 2nd.

Volunteering and Participating in the Build Event

Volunteers will be limited to 120 people and open spots will be available on a first come, first served basis.

Volunteers must be at least 14 years old and anyone under 18 must be teamed up with a parent or guardian.

Volunteers must register using a special link on the parish website. Keep reading all the material on this page, then come back here to access the registration page if you are interested - link

Volunteers can register as an individual or as a team of 2 or 3 people.

Every volunteer who registers, including all members of a team, must additionally complete a Sleep in Heavenly Peace waiver. Failure to properly register on the parish website or in completing the waiver will result in forfeiture of the volunteer’s place in the event and their spot will be provided to someone else.

Only properly registered volunteers will be permitted on the parish grounds during the build event. Please do not bring other family members who are not properly registered.

No children or spectators are permitted near the build event for safety and insurance reasons.

What to Expect

Following proper volunteer registration on the parish website (Step 1), each registrant will receive a notification from the Knights of Columbus with a unique link to the Sleep in Heavenly Peace event registration page. Every volunteer must enter information on the event page and complete the submission of the waiver (Step 2).

The Knights of Columbus will monitor parish registrations and SHP event registrations and waiver submissions and will send a final confirmation to volunteers. Volunteers MUST bring the Knights registration confirmation with them on the day of the event for access to the build event work area.

Day of Event Logistics

·       SHP Team of about 20 people will arrive by 7:30am to begin set up.

·       Volunteers for the build event should arrive between 9:00 and 9:30.

·       Knights will be verifying registration and will be managing and directing the parking.

·       Volunteers must be ready to listen to instructions and get assignments by 9:30.

·       The build event will start promptly at 10:00am (sooner if everyone has arrived and everyone is in place).

·       The build should end by 2:00pm

·       The Knights will provide food to all volunteers.