Operation Round Up Impact: Sleep In Heavenly Peace
Learn more about KREMC’s Operation Round Up Program, and the organizations it benefits, like Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Concern for community is one of KREMC’s core principles, and Operation Round Up is one way we give back to our local community.
What is Operation Round Up?
Operation Round Up is a voluntary program in which KREMC members pool their resources together to help those in need. The concept is simple: each month, KREMC members who have volunteered for the program allow us to round up their bill to the next dollar. For example, if a member has an electric bill of $53.86, that bill would be rounded up to $54.00, with 14 cents being donated to the program. If a member has multiple accounts, they can decide if they would like each account rounded up or just one. Each participating member, on average, contributes approximately $6.00 a year.
The money is then deposited into the Kosciusko REMC Operation Round Up fund, held at the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. A voluntary advisory committee, comprised of KREMC members, meets regularly to review applications for Operation Round Up grants, and to make grant recommendations.
What is Sleep in Heavenly Peace?
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a nonprofit organization with over 400 chapters across the U.S. and Canada who feel that every kid deserves a bed to sleep in. Local chapters use community groups, businesses, service clubs, and community volunteers to build beds to deliver to local kids in need.
What is Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s mission and impact?
There slogan is, “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town!” Their goal is to make sure every kid has a bed to sleep in at night. Having a safe, comfortable place to sleep is crucial to a child's wellbeing.
What is the story behind this organization?
Luke Mickelson, from Idaho, built beds for a family in need in his town 13 years ago. He became aware of how many kids needed beds and built more. As the overall need for kids across the country became obvious, the non-profit was born and has delivered over 300,000 beds to date.
Success and impact so far
Becky Kiphart, the Kosciusko County chapter President shared about the immense impact and success the program has had here in Kosciusko County
“How much time do you have?!? We have given 470 beds to local kids over the past 16 months. That's almost an average of 1 a day. Each one we deliver includes a new mattress and the child's favorite bedding. The families are always so thankful for this, and relieved that this need can be so easily met. From day one, we have an amazing team that has surrounded us with hours and hours of help and support. The community has been behind us 100% and we are so blessed to live among such generous donors of their time and money. Our chapter is 100% donation funded and volunteer run.”
What are some challenges this organization faces?
The biggest challenge is getting the word out to those who need beds. The organization continually shares what they do and what they can provide but still meet people in the community who have never heard of them.
How has Operation Round Up impacted the organization?
“Thanks to this very generous grant, we were able to build and provide beds to 20 more kids in Kosciusko County!” Kiphart shared proudly.
How can people in our community get involved?
There are many different opportunities available. They have public Build Days where volunteers can come and help build the beds, Delivery Teams that deliver the beds, and they have groups that donate bedding, which is always a need. They also have a Bunkhead Club available, which is a commitment to a monthly donation of $20 or more. The biggest need by far, is spreading the word! Letting people know they can get a bed for free for their kids through this non-profit organization.