Project provides beds for needy kids

Local Rotary Club members can never be accused of lying down on the job — even when engaged in a project to supply beds to local kids lacking a means of getting a good night’s sleep.

That has proven true with an effort whereby both the Rotary Club of Mount Airy and the Sunrise Rotary Club took part in the non-profit A Bed and a Book program operated by a foundation in Winston-Salem.

“The mission is to provide a bed and a book to kids that do not have a bed,” Rotary Club of Mount Airy President Michael Barnes explained Wednesday. The idea involves supplying underprivileged children in the area a decent place to sleep along with something to read.

There are cases locally of kids sleeping on sofas, mattresses on the floor or makeshift pallets, which hampers the ability for rest and function in school.

Through the A Bed and a Book project, clean, comfortable, age-appropriate beds and books are given to youths up to 18 at no cost to families.

Sturdy twin-sized beds, a comfortable mattress, clean sheets, a comforter and a pillow are delivered to homes, which required some pre-assembly by local Rotarians to allow easy installation at those locations.

That task unfolded last Friday when members met at the city schools’ headquarters, who were joined by other community volunteers along with city fire/police personnel. About 40 people took part altogether.

“It was just a community event,” Barnes said.

“Jumped” at opportunity

The involvement by local Rotarians in the A Bed and a Book program began when that program’s founder, Anneliese Wall, came to Mount Airy to speak.

This offered an opportunity for the members to get involved. “And we jumped on it immediately,” Barnes said.

The 10 beds that were assembled last Friday were funded by a $2,800 gift from an anonymous donor.

Barnes says 10 youths are benefiting, including six in Mount Airy City Schools and two who attend Surry County Schools, in addition to two other beds for a special case involving a family recently losing its home to a fire.

“These all go to local kids,” he stressed.

Recipients were determined in cooperation with school and Department of Social Services personnel.

Barnes said local involvement with A Bed and a Book will continue, hopefully with the help of grant funding from the Rotary organization.

“Our goal is to make this at least an annual event,” he said of the bed-assembly effort.

“We’re so thrilled to be a part of it,” Barnes added.