First they built their own ‘cool beds.’ Now, Pasco teens are helping others rest easy

Titan Harker and his younger brother wanted “cool beds” a year or so ago.

So they built their own, doing everything from designing to staining and assembling.

That experience came in handy on Saturday when Titan, 16, of Pasco, helped out a local nonprofit that provides beds to kids in need.

The teen was one of dozens from the Pasco North Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to take part in a build through Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

“It’s always a good feeling to go out and help people,” said Titan, on a break from putting together headboards.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace started several years ago in Idaho, with the mission of providing beds to kids going without.

Landon and Starlie Mathews helped get the Tri-Cities chapter off the ground this fall after learning about the nonprofit at a family reunion. They serve as co-presidents.

“Community is really important to us,” Starlie said of the new chapter. “For us, (the work) is strengthening our community and strengthening our kids.”

The Saturday build was the chapter’s second — and its biggest.

Volunteers built three bunks a while back. On Saturday, Titan and other teens showed up in shifts — as a rotation during a weekend youth conference for their stake’s 11th ward — and were expected to put together 10 bunks in all by day’s end.

The bunks will go to families in Richland, Kennewick and Prosser. Recipients also will get mattresses and bedding.

The teens were having fun while doing good.

“Doing something for someone else — it’s (special). Giving them that comfort, that warmth,” said Afton Harker, 14, Titan’s sister.

Julia Henry, 15, of Pasco, described helping out as as “eye-opening.”

“I’ve always been blessed with a house and bed. It’s nice to do things like this because you remember those who don’t (have as much), and you have compassion,” she said.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is an all-volunteer group. Starlie Mathews said she and other chapter leaders look forward to helping many local kids rest easier through Saturday’s bunks and future builds.

The group’s mission is important, said Karen Johnson, a Richland teacher who was on hand Saturday.

“We know that kids can’t learn if their basic needs aren’t met. From a teacher’s standpoint, it’s critical. Developmentally, these little bodies need a lot of rest,” she said.

And, she added, the nonprofit’s work touches her heart as a mother. Two of her children were volunteering at the build.

“I’ve always been able to provide for my kids, and I can’t imagine not being able to. These are hardworking, good families trying to do their best,” Johnson said. “To be able to take some of that burden off people in the community is the best feeling.”

To learn more about Sleep in Heavenly Peace, go to shpbeds.org/tri-cities-wa-chapter or find the group on Facebook at facebook.com/SHP.tricities.

This story was originally published November 18, 2017 at 4:48 PM with the headline "First they built their own ‘cool beds.’ Now, Pasco teens are helping others rest easy."