TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — The Leon County Sheriffs office, along with Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Precision Dent Removal, were on a mission to make spirits bright this holiday season.
Deputies from the sheriff's office, with tools in hand, built bunk beds to make sure no child has to go without a place to sleep.
"We've found that too many kids in our community are going to bed every night," said Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil. "Sleeping on the floor or are sleeping two to three to a bed, and that shouldn't happen here in Leon County."
John Cousins, founder of the Tallahassee chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, has been building beds for kids for two years, and says they can't keep up with the demand for beds in Tallahassee.
"We are just shy of 500 bunks in a year and a half. That's a thousand kids who have gotten off the floor in our town," said Cousins. "So is there a need? Absolutely there is a need. We can't keep up with it."
That need, fulfilled at the Byrd house.
"Having six kids living in one household, it's hard, but we make do," said Michael Byrd.
Those kids, sleeping on mattresses on the floor throughout three bedrooms, now get their own bed.
Joy being felt right in the Byrd house.. this holiday season.
"I am so happy and thankful that we got this opportunity to be able to receive this gift," said Byrd. "This expensive gift from the community and everyone."
If you or someone you know is interested in requesting a bed for a child, you can visit Sleep in Heavenly Peace's website.
The organization will also be out in Marianna next week building beds for families impacted by Hurricane Michael.
