The Rotary Clubs of Montgomery County, Blacksburg, Christiansburg-Blacksburg, and Radford
volunteered Saturday with the Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) organization over the weekend to tackle
the goal of building 50 beds.
In just four hours, they met that goal.
Seventy volunteers worked in assembly-line fashion to construct the 50 beds, which will be given to local
children who do not have one. The Virginia Tech Corp of Cadets, Company F, and Cadets for a Cause
also participated in the effort.
“It was a great day and we did accomplish our goal,” said Rotary Club of Montgomery County Secretary
Vickie Damico, who volunteered at the event. “It was especially meaningful to see multiple generations
working side-by-side on this worthwhile project.”
The New River Valley chapter of the national Sleep in Heavenly Peace organization was founded by Paul
Mele in August 2019 to continue the mission of “No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town.” “Since our
first build in 2020, we have delivered 251 beds to 119 families in Montgomery and Pulaski counties and
the City of Radford through the tremendous support from community volunteers and organizations,
Lowe’s of Christiansburg, and Burch Properties,” said Mele.
Bill Duis, the event organizer for the Rotary Club of Montgomery County, said volunteering in these
community efforts helps the club fulfill its mission.
“Getting involved in projects like SHP allows us to make a significant impact in our community and
fulfill Rotary’s commitment to ‘Service above Self,’ he said.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is a volunteer organization that provides free hand-made twin beds to
children in need. SHP provides the tools, equipment, and supervision to execute bed-build events and
joins with local organizations to fund, build, deliver, and assemble the beds.
— Heather Bell
