Essex County's newest charity wants to make sure every kid has a comfortable night's rest.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace launched its 50 Days of Giving Campaign this week and hopes to raise $12,500 to build 50 beds. Chapter President Brian Cyncora says the money will be used to acquire lumber, mattresses and bedding.
"About two per cent of all children in the county have a need for a bed, that's about 1,900 children," he says.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is new to Windsor-Essex, but the international charity has three chapters in Canada and more than 230 in the U.S.
Cyncora and his family recently moved to the area and brought the charity with them from Manitoba.
"When we found out about this charity as an untapped need out here, we figured we could really help and contribute to making things better for kids," he added.
He tells AM800 News a comfortable place to sleep can make a big difference in a child's life.
"Children are innocent in everything that happens to them; they're not decision makers in their lives and often they're the victim of circumstance," says Cyncora.
The 50 Days of Giving Campaign runs through the end of the year. More on how to donate or request a bed can be found on the Sleep in Heavenly Peace website.
- with files from AM800's Rob Hindi