Rochester Elks donate $2,000 to Sleep in Heavenly Peace nonprofit

From left, Matthew Sanborn of Rochester Elks; Marlene and Jim Graves, SHP; and Norman Gervais, Rochester Elks (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Representatives from the Rochester Elks Lodge #1393 on Wednesday presented a check for $2,000 to the Sleep in Heavenly Peace non-profit organization, which is based in the Lilac City.

Representing the Elks were Exalted Ruler Matthew Sanborn and Lodge Secretary, Elks National Foundation chair, Norman Gervais. Receiving the donation were Sleep in Heavenly Peace representatives, Marlene Graves and Jim Graves, Co-Presidents of the company. The donation was made possible through a Beacon Grant awarded to the Rochester Lodge through the Elks National Foundation. Beacon Grants must be used for local charitable purposes.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a 501©3 organization with headquarters in Twin Falls, Idaho. It was founded in 2012 and now has more than 300 chapters in the USA and Canada. The mission of this organization is to provide beds for children in need, who don't have their own bed. As a national organization, they have delivered over 114,000 beds to children. It is estimated that 2 to 3 percent of children in this country do not have their own bed to sleep in.

The Rochester chapter was started in October 2021 by the Graves, both residents of Rochester. In the past 14 months, they have delivered 192 beds to children within a 15-mile radius of the Lilac City. When a bed is delivered, it is also assembled and a mattress, sheets, blanket and pillow are included, all free of charge to the recipient. The cost of each assembly is around $250 and this non-profit is totally reliant on donations and grants to fund this fine program.

For more information about this program, please visit https://shpbeds.org/chapter/nh-rochester/ and for more information about the Elks, please visit www.elks.org