Volunteers build hundreds of beds for Michiana children in need

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — A group of volunteers is building beds for children in need in the Michiana (the area around the Michigan-Indiana border) area.

Catholic Charities USA and the University of Notre Dame alumni club of St. Joseph Valley teamed up with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a non-profit that builds beds for charity, for one of their "Build-a-Bed" events.

The event cames as part of the university's Alumni Association Global Day of Service.

Volunteers met at the Studebaker Factory to construct beds, which were then delivered to children in need.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a nationwide volunteer organization that has delivered more than 125,000 beds since it was founded.

The partnership aimed to help more than 2,000 Michiana children with poor sleeping arrangements.

Catholic Charities C.E.O. Dan Florin said, "The energy in here is amazing, everybody, you know if you feel a slight discomfort, you just remember why we're here and everybody's having a blast and we're doing a beautiful thing today.

Studies have shown that poor sleep can affect children's performance in school, and may negatively impact them in social situations.

The program explains that having a bed of their own benefits children both physically and emotionally.