Poverty Uncovered

Underprivileged children are everywhere. Tucked away in a community of affluence where the average household income surpasses $80,540 is a family of seven with five children. Two weeks ago, the Bed Brigade delivered five beds to these five underprivileged children living in a privileged society.  How can this be and how did we find out? 

Educators love kids and notice when they are hurting and tired.  At the high school where I serve as an administrator, one teacher…one day… decided to ask WHY.  Although pride threatened to stand in the way, an eighteen-year-old senior finally confided in someone.  He shared with his trusted teacher that he and his four siblings did not have beds and were sleeping on floors with the only barrier between them and the cold concrete…a thin piece of carpet.  Winter months in Ohio are cold and currently in the single digits.  With frigid conditions and no where to lay his head, this young man described how his back, muscles and body ached all over and how he had gone without a good night's sleep for nine long years. 

                                                                                 

This troubled teacher gathered her thoughts and remembered the Bed Brigade. The Bed Brigade is a movement inspired by S.A.F.E. to provide underprivileged children in the United States with beds of their very own.   In less than 72 hours, and with the help of donors and friends of the Bed Brigade, the family had five new beds, mattresses, mattress covers, pillows, pillow covers, sheets and comforters. 

Although I know five more children are tucked in at night, the thought still chills me to the bone to think of others sleeping on cold floors and going to school without a good night’s sleep.  The Bed Brigade does not discriminate and crosses all boundaries to reach all kids in privileged and underprivileged societies.  I am thankful each day when I see these two beautiful young people walking the halls of our high school looking well rested and ready to face their day. 

Since I personally know and love two of the five children who were grateful recipients of beds, this is the first time S.A.F.E. and the Bed Brigade have hit so close to home for me.  The mattresses that are frequently piled in our garage, the make-shift workshops all over three counties and two states seemed like my husband’s work, but today my heart is also stirred and the passion ignited to share in his work and the mission of S.A.F.E.  Won't you join us? 

Tonya Ramey