10 bunk beds built by volunteers

Several groups joined forces to build bunk beds for children who don't have any to sleep on.

On Saturday, Rocky Mountain Power volunteers worked with United Way of Southwest Wyoming to complete a Helping Hands Day project for the Rock Springs Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. The bed-building project took place at Unique Signs and Designs with about 30 volunteers pitching in to build beds for those in need.

Since April, Mike and Aly Bond, SHP Rock Springs chapter founders, have been working up to hosting a build day. SHP provides bunk beds for children to families in need.

Mike said the group was making 10 beds, three of which were delivered Saturday in Rock Springs and Green River. The remaining seven beds will be delivered at a later date.

"We will go through the requests we already have and choose from them," Mike said.

Mike wanted to get the beds made and was going to have a public build, however, he had heard about the United Way's Helping Hands Day event and thought he would put the project on the list to see if any group would sign up to do it.

He couldn't believe the response.

"I think it shows me that our community is ready to help out," Mike said. "There's been an outpouring of support."

For first-time volunteer Angie Upchurch, knowing where the beds were going to go was what got her to volunteer.

"I think it's a good cause to help the children in the community," Upchurch said.

Volunteer Teresa Ward, who has been volunteering for 31 years, said the United Way Helping Hands Day project is one of the ways residents can volunteer and help out the community.

"It's good to show kids you can help the community," Ward said.

As for working with a group or coworkers, it's a good team-building experience for them, she said. They get to know each other better while helping the community.

"That's why we're here," Ward said.

Mike appreciated all the help he received and was glad to see all of his pre planning on where to put up stations was working quite well.

"This is our very first official build day," Mike said.

Mike, Aly and their family and friends have hosted build days before to figure out where to put the stations, but to have an official build with volunteers was something Mike wanted to go smoothly so others would want to volunteer on public build days. Mike wanted to thank all of the companies that donated the lumber, supplies or sold them items at discounted prices. The project wouldn't be successful without the donations.

"The more we get our name out there and the more we talk, the more people are going to want to help," Mike said.