Show inspires man to help

When Mike Bond was watching a Facebook series he never thought it would translate into him wanting to start a nonprofit organization, but it did.

The show Mike was watching was called "Returning the Favor" with Mike Rowe. During Season 2: Episode 9's Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Rowe visits Luke Mickelson who started Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization whose mission is to ensure no child in their town has to sleep on the floor. This organization is based out of Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Mike said he recalled how Mickelson's small project for a family in need quickly turned into something big. In the episode, Mickelson went from making 12 bunk beds a year to about 600 a year country-wide.

"I watched that and after that I kind of though about it and thought I'd look into it," I've been looking for ways to give back to the community," he said.

What attracted Bond to this idea is it's so specific and unique at the same time.

"You don't see many charity groups doing this type of thing," he said.

Mike then approached his wife, Aly, former Green River resident, about his idea. At first, she wasn't very supportive, but after she participated in a conference call that explained the whole process, she was on board.

Since the couple recently married and bought a new home, they don't have extra money to put into a charity. Mike said SHP knew that after the show aired more people around the country would be interested in participating so the organization's attorney's set up 501 c3s in every state. Once Mike and Aly heard that they didn't have to put a bunch of money down to start the nonprofit, they were in.

"That's basically how we got into it," he said.

To start spreading the word about starting the SHP nonprofit in Sweetwater County, Mike and Aly just posted it on a few Facebook pages. Mike didn't expect to get the response he did, but people have already started donating to the cause and he volunteered to help make the bunk beds.

"This community is big on helping people and charity," he said.

Mike believes there is a need for this type of nonprofit not only in Sweetwater County, but the state.

"I personally have see instances where people's lives are changed just by having a bed to sleep on," Mike said.

Mike has also spoken to Department of Family Services employees and police officers who have told him there is a need for this type of a nonprofit in Sweetwater County.

Getting ready

"We're not completely off the ground yet," he said.

In fact, Mike hasn't worked out all of the details on where he and the volunteers will build the bunk beds. He and Aly also need to go through training to run this SHP nonprofit chapter, but all of this will take place. Mike said the training is scheduled for April 14; and they want to set a building day in May.

Just because they aren't an official chapter yet, doesn't mean bunk-bed requests can't be made. Mike said all they have to do is go to the website http://www.shp.org and request a bed. He said the person requesting the bed must make sure to mention they are in the Rock Springs, Wy, area under general inquiry.

After the Bonds take their training, their nonprofit chapter will appear on the list. Mike said those who request a bed will receive a single or double bunk bed. He said in some cases there is more than one child in the house that needs a bed which is why bunk beds work so well. Also, a lot of these beds are going into apartments or small homes that won't have room for multiple beds, which is another reason why bunk beds were picked. Mike and Aly are currently accepting supply donations to get this nonprofit chapter off of the ground. Mike said the best way to contact them is to look them up on Facebook.

"I think we're offering a service that can really help those families in need," he said. "We're willing to go wherever in this state."