Chicago Heights School District 170 teacher Sandi Copher and her husband Ed recently invited Jefferson School Principal and City of Chicago Heights Fourth-Ward Alderman Chris Baikauskas along with his wife, Michele Baikauskas and daughter Paige Hogeveen to help assemble a bunk bed for a family whose children attend Roosevelt School Chicago Heights as part of the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program.
The program provides hand-made bunk beds to children that need a safe and comfortable place to lay their heads.
According to the program's website, "all children deserve a safe, comfortable place to lay their heads…too many boys and girls go without a bed—or even a pillow—to sleep on. These children end up sleeping on couches, blankets, and even floors, and this can affect their happiness and health."
"That's where Sleep in Heavenly Peace comes in. We're a group of volunteers dedicated to building, assembling, and delivering top-notch bunk beds to children and families in need. Our organization has grown steadily over time, and we're working on opening more chapters in different states to serve more people."
The Cophers have been involved with the Sleep in Heavenly Peace initiative since November of 2018. Sandi takes immense pride in the program's "no kid sleeps on the floor in our city" mantra, and is passionate about helping the families of School District 170.
Any families interested in the Sleep in Heavenly Peace Program may receive additional information by visiting https://www.shpbeds.org/, clicking on "Request a bed," and selecting the Oak Forest Chapter.
Families with questions about the program also may email the Cophers at ed.copher@shpbeds.org.
"I am very grateful to Sandi and Ed for the invitation to join in such a worthwhile endeavor," Baikauskas said.
"Sandi is an exceptional role model in the classroom and, through her efforts with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, that outstanding ability and empathy extends beyond the walls of our school and benefits our community."