August 26, 2025
Submitted by:
Eric Mens, Public Affairs Officer
American Legion Post 68 Leland
Ph (703) 626-9104
Legion Post 68 Donates to Sleep in Heavenly Peace
On Thursday, August 21, Tommy Underwood, President, Wilmington Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), accompanied by J. B. Brink, briefed members of the John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68 in Leland. Members learned about SHP’s mission, accomplishments, and continuing needs in serving children in the greater Wilmington area, including North Brunswick County. Following the briefing, Post Commander Bea Frost presented Mr. Underwood with a check for $1,000 to help fund SHP’s Build the Bed program. This marks the second year that Post 68 has donated to SHP, with members also donating new twin bedding sets.
SHP is a secular, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, founded in Idaho in 2012, that builds and delivers beds to children who don’t have beds to sleep in. Its motto is “No Child Sleeps On The Floor In Our Town.” Today, SHP has over 300 Chapters, including in three countries. In 2024, SHP chapters delivered over 215,000 beds to needy children and teens ages 3 – 17 years old. Working out of donated space in Independence Mall, the Wilmington Chapter built and delivered 500 beds during that same time frame.
With each bed costing approximately $250 in materials, the Wilmington SHP relies on the time and efforts of trained volunteers (nearly 700) during Build Days. The organization operates with a low overhead rate of 10 percent, receives materials donations from local firms such as Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores (a national sponsor), and relies on volunteers, private donations, and grants. Based on current population numbers, SHP Wilmington estimates that 2,000 children in New Hanover and North Brunswick County have no beds of their own to sleep in. The Chapter plans to expand its efforts to the southern part of Brunswick County in the coming months.
The next SHP build opportunity will be during the week of September 6-13, 2025, when the Wilmington Chapter will participate in the national 7th annual Bunks Across America (BAA) event. For additional information on SHP, including how to donate, volunteer, or apply for a bed for a child in need, visit https://shpbeds.org/. To learn more about John E. Jacobs American Legion Post 68, its role in the Leland area community, and to view a calendar of events, visit https://ncpost68.org/.
Pictured below, L-R are J.B. Brink (SHP), Tommy Underwood (President, Wilmington Chapter SHP), Bea Frost, Post 68 Commander, and John Marone, Post 68 member and SHP volunteer.