500 Beds and Counting: Phoebe Supports Sleep in Heavenly Peace to Give Local Kids a Place to Dream

Albany, GA | September 16, 2025 – Phoebe employees rolled up their sleeves and joined volunteers across the country for Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s (SHP) 7th annual Bunks Across America (BAA) bed build. The event was held on the first floor of one of Phoebe’s parking garages and brought together around 70 Phoebe employees and their family members and friends. Over four hours, the volunteers built more than 50 beds for local children in need.

The event helped the Albany SHP chapter reach a milestone. Since it was formed in 2023, the local group has now built more than 500 beds for children ages 3–17 who previously had no safe, comfortable place to sleep. Each bed includes a new mattress, pillow, and bedding.

“Too many kids in our community sleep on the floor or share crowded mattresses with siblings. By working alongside SHP, our volunteers are making a tangible difference, giving children better sleep, better health, and a brighter future,” said Jen Williams, PhD, Phoebe Putney Health System Chief Community Engagement & Health Impact Officer.

This year’s bed build was part of SHP’s national BAA event, which engages chapters across the country to build thousands of beds in one day. In 2024, SHP set a record with 174 chapters, more than 12,000 volunteers, and 7,629 beds built nationwide. The 2025 national goal is to surpass 10,000 beds with 15,000 volunteers and over 250 chapters participating.

Phoebe employees have taken part in both Albany BAA builds since the chapter launched. Participation grew significantly from 15 volunteers last year to 70 this year.

“We’re fortunate to have a partner like Phoebe supporting our mission. They generously donated $10,000, which fully funds 40 beds, and the enthusiastic support of their employees helped us have the largest and most successful BAA event we’ve had since we started our chapter.  Each bed built by our volunteers already has a kid waiting to sleep in it,” said SHP Albany Chapter President Matt Atkins,

Saturday’s event was part of Phoebe Serves, the health system’s broader community engagement initiative that provides Phoebe employees with opportunities to volunteer at approved events. Phoebe will even pay employees for four hours of volunteer service approved by their manager. The goal for this fiscal year is for Phoebe employees to exceed 1,700 volunteer hours.

SHP welcomes volunteers of all ages, some as young as six and others well into their eighties. After an introduction to SHP’s mission, “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town”, volunteers rotated through stations cutting, sanding, drilling, assembling, branding headboards, and staining beds with SHP’s non-toxic vinegar-and-steel-wool solution.

“It’s amazing to see families, coworkers, and neighbors come together. Everyone leaves with the joy of knowing they changed a child’s life that day,” said Williams.

The real impact of the work is reflected in stories from families. One recipient proudly shared how she loves her new bed and pink bedding, and how she sleeps better and feels more rested for school months after Phoebe team members participated in delivering beds for her and her siblings. Another mother texted volunteers: “Thank you all so much. My children and I are so thankful for their beds. You really put smiles on their faces!”

SHP’s impact is significant nationwide: as of September 2025, the organization has delivered over 300,000 beds, supported by more than 784,000 volunteer hours. But the need is still great with over 163,000 children nationally currently waiting for a bed.

The Albany chapter hopes to grow its capacity in the coming years, with an eventual goal of building 100 beds in a single day. Every bed cost about $250 to build and comes with all-new bedding essentials. SHP’s goal is to get “beds under heads” quickly. Three of the beds built at this year’s BAA event went directly to two families the same day. Additional deliveries are scheduled for September 20, October 25 and December 13. The chapter anticipates delivering more than 250 beds in 2025.