www.theleaven.com | Newspaper of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas | Vol. 32, No. 22 january 14, 2011
Monica Starr, director of Sleepyhead Beds, drags a bed out of storage to be delivered to a family in need.
Sleepyheads to the rescue
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Organization collects unused beds for families in need
ANSAS CITY, Kan. — Most Americans take and three little kids crowded onto a sofa every night to sleep.” for granted the warm, soft bed they fall into A good night’s sleep, however, is critical to both a person’s every night after a long, busy physical and emotional well-being — espeday. cially a child’s. Disturbed sleep equates with Story by But an estimated one in increased behavior problems, a higher risk of Kara Hansen 42 children in Kansas City do obesity, an increased risk of physical injuries, not know such a luxury, livand decreased memory and cognitive funcPhoto by ing without a bed or proper sleep space to call tion. Elaina Cochran their own. Yet for many families, the cost of a bed is “There are lots of people who literally sleep a significant expense and one not easily abon their floor every night,” said Monica Starr, director of sorbed by an already strapped budget — not to mention the Sleepyhead Beds. “There was a family we delivered beds to Turn to “There are” on page 4 that had lived in their house for a year and a half. Two parents
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Our story about Father Greg Hammes got held up, giving you one last chance to make your contribution . Keep it short (100 words) and send it to: anita@ theleaven.com.
reconciliation
Would you consider sharing a positive experience about the sacrament of reconciliation with others? If so, send an e-mail by Jan. 26, at the latest, to Father Dan Gardner at: danspan@ catholic.org. You need not mention the confessor’s name nor provide your full name or parish. Your contribution might wind up in a future column by Archbishop Naumann.