Augusta YMCA delivers 1,500 beds to children in need

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Household YMCA of Higher Augusta’s, A Place to Dream, program topped its document to 1,500 beds donated to native kids in want.

On Feb. 25, the group publicized this system’s current success for the reason that program’s opening in Nov. 2017.

Danny McConnell, president and CEO of YMCA, says, “Once we began this system, our purpose was 500 beds delivered the primary yr. We exceeded that earlier than the top of the primary yr, and this system has simply exploded. We will’t sustain with the demand.”

The Y companions with Space Housing Authorities to establish households in want. Deliveries are then dealt with by the 9 space YMCA places with groups of volunteers. This program is totally supported by donations and volunteers.

“Now, greater than 1,500 kids have a clear, snug place to sleep that they wouldn’t have in any other case. It’s unimaginable the constructive influence this has on every youngster, and throughout the complete house as properly,” McConnell says.

Every mattress supply features a mattress body, mattress, linens, blanket, pillow, stuffed animal, Bible and a bag of wholesome snacks.

Almost two-thirds of underneath resourced households within the CSRA have kids with out beds. Many sleep on the ground, air mattresses, sofas or crowded right into a mattress with siblings, which drastically reduces sleep high quality.

Poor sleep high quality can influence kids’s bodily and psychological well being, and make focusing at school tougher. Analysis has discovered that kids with correct bedding sleep a median of 20 minutes longer every night time versus kids who’ve unfavorable sleeping preparations. That provides as much as greater than 2 hours every week.

Right here’s how one can assist assist A Place to Dream:

• Unfold the phrase to family and friends.

• Sponsor a mattress for $200 every, which incorporates new linens and bedding equipment.

• Should you’re an space enterprise, be part of the trouble and embody your workers.

• Volunteer on supply days to assist with mattress set-up.

• Host a brand new linens donation drive at your college or church (TWIN sheet units, comforters/blankets, and pillows. All have to be new.)

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