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Sleep in Heavenly Peace gives children a place to sleep
Grant County
Sleep in Heavenly Peace helps kids sleep
IN JUST TWO YEARS, Sleep in Heavenly Peace has made almost 300 beds for children to lay their heads at night.

GRANT COUNTY - Imagine the feeling a child would get the moment he or she gets home from school and there is a brand new bed waiting for him or her.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) has a mission: “no kid sleeps on the floor in our town.”

The reaction SHP gets from children is priceless. There are hugs given, sometimes tears of happiness, and lots of gratitude. Most of the children don’t want to get out of the bed they just received.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace began in Idaho. The Grant County chapter is two years old. The core team of seven — cofounder and volunteer coordinator Leon Neuheisel, bed inventory coordinator Brad Biddick, cofounder and community liaison Hap Daus, building coordinators Frank Steck and Chuck Smet, communications coordinator Sarah Imobersteg and finance coordinator Hannah Coder. The chapter has delivered almost 300 beds, including mattress, pillow, twin sheet and quilt or blanket, to Grant County children.

Neuheisel read about SHP in a newspaper and could not shake the idea that he had a comfortable place to lay his head at night, but there were children who did not have that simple luxury. He then banded together some friends and colleagues. With the help of many volunteers, two years and more than 275 beds to Grant County children later, SHP is trying to keep up with the demand. Beds are going out as fast as SHP can build them.

SHP receives referrals for children ages 3 to 17 from educators, school counselors, daycare providers, social services, family members, or a Facebook request from a needy family. A social worker vets the requests to ensure that beds are going to families in need.

Once the family has been verified with a delivery appointment confirmed, the child will receive a delivery. In most cases takes about a week.

“There are beds and bedding that are kept on hand so we can make a quick turnaround for our local children,” said Daus. “I would love to share the mission of SHP. If you or your local organization would like a presentation” call 608-215-8915.

The bed is just the first step in helping our local children. A good night’s sleep is imperative in the development of children and adolescents. A research team led by Dr. Ze Wang of the University of Maryland, along with the National Institutes of Health, set out to determine how lack of sleep affects brain structure along with daily functions. The results of the study appeared in Lancet Child & Adolescent Health July 29. The research found that children in the insufficient-sleep group had more mental health and behavioral challenges than those who got sufficient sleep.

Providing beds is more than a place to sleep. It will allow children to be more successful in their daily lives and do their best in the classroom. Any of the core team members will be happy to answer questions and chat about SHP. Without  the help of their spouses and many community volunteers they would not be able to keep up with the demand. Local businesses have now stepped up to allow their employees to donate their time during working hours to help with construction.

Bedding donations can be dropped off at Mound City Bank’s main office in Platteville. All items must be new and unused. SHP accepts pillows, twin size sheet sets and twin size blankets or quilts. For questions about bedding or if you want to make quilts or blankets (60 to 64 inches wide and 84 to 89 inches long) contact bedding coordinator Madge Neuheisel, 608-642-0337.

SHP’s primary expenses are lumber and mattresses. Monetary donations can be sent to Sleep in Heavenly Peace–Wisconsin Grant County, P.O. Box 607, Platteville, WI 53818.

Facebook users can check out SHP-WI Grant County, which has up-to-date information on the group’s activities and needs, plus donation information. To volunteer, email leon.neuheisel@shpbeds.org.
‘Jail and Bail’ raises over $3,000 during Sesquicentennial celebration
Boscobel Woman’s Club
Boscobel Woman's Club raises funds during Sesquicentennial
Boscobel Woman’s Club on hand are, from left: President Angela O’Brien, Secretary Lorinda Larson-Dull, Vice President Joanne Kaska, Treasurer Dicta Schoenfelder, Club Members Wilma Smith and Mary Frankenhoff.

BOSCOBEL - The Boscobel Woman’s Club recently held a Jail and Bail inspired fundraiser July 5. We are proud that the participants raised a total of $3,213.88. Participants included: Brenda Kalish, Theresa Braudt, Summer Olson, Robin Conley, Lacie Rutherford, Meghan Mueller, Leah Granzow, Michelle Farrell, Lisa Wallin-Kapinus and Angela O’Brien. With funds raised the club was able to make monetary donations to the following area projects: Boscobel Beautification, Boscobel Free Clinic, FOCUS, Boscobel Depot, Boscobel Hospital Foundation, Free Hearing Clinic, Boscobel EMS, Boscobel Education Foundation, and the Food Pantry.

In conjunction with the 150th celebration, The Boscobel Woman’s Club held a bake sale in honor of our dearly departed president and friend; Ms Peggy Baumeister on Wednesday July 5th at the Boscobel Depot grounds. Thank you to all who donated funds for sweet treats.

The Boscobel Women’s Club was organized in 1957. The club meets monthly from September to May. Members have undertaken many projects including establishing a library in 1906, beginning with a bookshelf and donated books; promoting the “beautification” of Boscobel, planting flowers around town, and sponsoring art shows. They also worked to spearhead plans, fund, and build the Veteran’s Memorial Garden.

Members have also participated in roadside cleanup, are sponsors of the Helen Ma Adams Art contest, and for many years have donated to Operation Smile for persons with cleft deformities. Just recently members sewed “little dresses for Africa,” made a donation to Sleep in Heavenly Peace-Grant County Chapter, so that children can have beds, and donated money for “birthday books” at the elementary school.

The club has a designated donation at each meeting such as school supplies and personal care items to enrich the lives of others. Members donate money or food to the local pantry and have specific items for Thanksgiving dinners, including turkeys. Each May, members host a “tea” for the graduating high school senior English scholar girls.

Please consider joining the Boscobel Woman’s Club today! If interested in learning how you can be involved please contact the current president Ms. Angela O’Brien at 608-778-1987 for further information.