Beds donated locally

By Mark Ribble

LEAMINGTON — A crew of five generous volunteers from the Windsor chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace attended a home in Leamington last Friday, October 22 to help a local family in need.

Local grandmother Tina had recently taken custody of her three granddaughters aged four, six and eight, and was in a quandary on what to do about getting beds for the girls.

In addition, her husband’s children, ranging in ages up to 18, were due to arrive from Jamaica.

After some conversations, it was decided to call in the folks from Sleep In Heavenly Peace.

Chapter President Brian Cyncora responded with Friday’s delivery of two sets of bunkbeds to the Leamington home.

“This is our first install in Leamington,” said Cyncora, who added that the local chapter is in their first year of operation.

From July through until October, they’ve donated 62 beds across Windsor-Essex. It costs about $350 for each bed to be constructed and their workforce is 100 per cent volunteer-based.

The Sleep In Heavenly Peace crew in Leamington on October 22. In the back are Christine Lucier and Brian Cyncora. In front are Jeff Lucier, Jeff Loewen and Terry Cyncora.

SUN photo

Sleep In Heavenly Peace has 250 chapters in the United States and the Windsor Chapter is the first in eastern Canada.

Cyncora says that two-to-three per cent of children in our community are bedless.

“They’re sleeping on couches, on floors or on mattresses on floors,” he said. “This is all about the kids.”

For Tina, the work that Sleep In Heavenly Peace has done has been a huge help.

“I feel blessed,” she said. “Thank you so much.”

Tina is also looking for clothing, coats, scooters and bikes for the five girls and one boy ranging in age from four to 18.

To make a request for help from Sleep In Heavenly Peace, or to make a donation to their cause, visit shpbeds.ca.

If you’d like to help Tina’s family directly, please email family friend June Epplett at repplett3@cogeco.ca.