Sleep in Heavenly Peace: Community unites to build beds for area kids

There are children right here in the greater Merrill community who do not have a bed to call their own. Right now, kids in our neighborhoods are sleeping on the floor or making do with sleeping bags. The reasons for this are as varied as the families themselves. A recent divorce might leave one parent without enough furniture for the kids’ weekend visits. A family might have just moved to the area and simply couldn’t bring enough belongings with them to furnish a new place. Perhaps a child’s bed broke and the family cannot afford to replace it right now. In other instances, individuals hoping to open their hearts and homes as foster parents might need a proper bed for a child to pass a required home study. Whatever the circumstance, the need is real, and the community is stepping up to help.
On June 27, 2026, local volunteers will gather at the Merrill Fairgrounds inside the Sell Building to build sturdy wooden beds for these area children. Operating under the national organization “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” (SHP), the local project is spearheaded by the Missouri Synod Lutheran Churches’ Circuit Six Joint Youth Group. Jeremy Lee, a local construction company owner and the Circuit Youth Advisor, is leading the charge. Initially, Lee didn’t realize the severity of the local situation and was focused on helping build beds for other areas.
Lee said he really thought there was no need in Merrill.
“And then I started looking,” Lee said. “Oh yeah, there is a need.”
This year will be the first year he is leading the charge to build beds for Merrill area kids.

The effort is already seeing strong support from local congregations, but financial and physical help is still needed to reach their goals. Don Voight, representing St. Paul’s, noted the early generosity from his church: “St. Paul’s is ready to give some money and I’ve talked to the congregation on different Sundays ... I’m thinking we’ve got $1,500 or so already.”
While area churches are a driving force, organizers stress that this is a completely non-denominational community effort open to anyone who wants to lend a hand. Anyone can help — by donating money for supplies or bedding, donating new bedding items, or showing up to put in a few hours of work to get the beds built.
“It’s not about the churches getting recognition or anything else,” Lee said. “It’s more [that] we’re just doing this as a community thing. We’re just doing this to help kids.”

Call for volunteers: no experience necessary
The bed build will take place starting around 9 a.m. on June 27. Organizers are hoping for 50 or more volunteers to sand, drill, and assemble up to 50 beds. Sleep in Heavenly Peace provides all the necessary tools and guidance, so no prior construction experience is required. There is a role for everyone, regardless of age or skill level — from drilling holes to chalking off finished pieces or simply helping keep volunteers hydrated. Lunch and refreshments will be provided for all workers.

Brand new bedding donations needed
Beyond building the sturdy wooden frames, the organization aims to deliver a complete, welcoming bed to every child who needs one. To achieve this, the community is asked to donate brand new, twin-sized bedding items. Organizers emphasize that all donated bedding — including sheet sets, pillows, quilts, blankets, and comforters — must be completely new.
These items will be put together to be distributed with the newly built beds. Organizers then use these supplies to personalize each delivery, wherever they can, matching the bedding to a child’s interests, whether they love dogs, superheroes, or bright colors.
Trinity Lutheran Church on State Street in Merrill has agreed to act as a central collection point for all donations of new bedding for the project.
Individuals, businesses, and community groups are encouraged to bring their newly purchased bedding donations to the church office.

No questions asked
The ultimate goal of Sleep in Heavenly Peace is simple, completely confidential, and comes with no strings attached. There are no income checks, and families do not have to “qualify” to receive help. Deliveries are made privately, with no names released to the public.
“We don’t care. We just want kids to be in beds,” Lee said. That is 100% all this is about.
Families in need of a bed are encouraged to request one confidentially online through the SHP website (shpbeds.org), where the request will be routed to the local chapter for a private delivery.
By volunteering on June 27 or donating brand new bedding at the Trinity Lutheran Church collection point, community members can be part of an initiative that makes sure no child in our area has to sleep on a couch or floor.