‘Tis the Season of Giving

You may have noticed retailers offering up Christmas merchandise earlier than ever. In Henderson, we kick off the season early, too. Here we focus on the true meaning of the season: giving and service.

The Volunteer and Information Center (VIC) kicked off the season on Saturday, October 21, with its second annual Build-a-Bed event at Henderson Community College’s Sullivan Technology Center. This event, carried out in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, focused on providing beds to underprivileged children in the Henderson community. For all children, the development of nighttime rituals and getting a good night’s sleep are vital to early childhood development.

Earlier this year, VIC contacted Family Resources Coordinators of Henderson County’s schools to find children in need of a bed. In total, 22 students were selected – 11 girls and 11 boys. VIC contacted other local nonprofit agencies, like the Women’s Addition Recovery Manor, to find homes for the remaining beds.

Community groups including the Henderson LEO Club, Cotillion Club, Girl Scouts, and the Henderson County High School football team, families, and individual volunteers came from all over the country to participate in the assembly and painting of 30 beds. Even though ten beds were completed the previous year, the roughly 100 volunteers were able to finish the 30-bed project this year in about two and a half hours.

On Friday, volunteers from Habitat assembled five model builds so the volunteers could start at 8 a.m. the following day. Throughout Saturday morning, groups of strangers worked efficiently and enjoyed donuts, snacks, and lunch together.

Judge-Executive Brad Schneider arrived around 10 a.m. to deliver a proclamation from Mayor Steve Austin designating October 22, 2016, as “Make a Difference Day” in Henderson. Soon after, painting touch-ups were almost complete and volunteers wrote inspirational and motivational messages on the bed slats. It was originally estimated that the construction and painting would continue into the afternoon. However, at noon the afternoon crew shifts were called off, and beds were delivered shortly after.

Each child received not only a new wooden twin-size bed frame but also a mattress and a laundry basket of bedtime necessities. The laundry basket included a full-sized pillow, a smaller decorative pillow, a stuffed animal, a storybook, a nightlight, a toothbrush, toothpaste and other hygienic supplies.

Funding for the event came partially from bed sponsorships, which covered the $150 cost for each bed. This project would not have been possible without the incredible community partnerships, which included Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center, Raymond B. Preston Family Foundation, AmeriCorps, Early Childhood Council, Henderson Breakfast Lions Club, and Henderson Community College.

The best thing about Henderson is the generosity of its people and the willingness to work together. Like having a bed, this is not something that should be taken for granted. Remember that no matter your financial ability, you can always donate your time. Nonprofits are always in need of volunteers. So get in the holiday spirit and call a local agency today.