September 27, 2026
Making Beds “Easier To Lie In” In Louisville, Kentucky
Text by Region 8 Webmaster John Davis
UAW Local 862 is a local that is making a difference in their community. From Christmas charities to food banks, they are representing our union in Louisville. Their latest charity is one worth noting.
Having your own bed is a basic right for all humans. Without a bed, a person doesn’t have a home. Sleep in Heavenly Peace is an organization that works to provide beds for children who sleep on the floor. Sleep in Heavenly Peace has provided 400,000 beds nationally. It’s a number big enough to be difficult to wrap your head around. But for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, it represents something much more meaningful: 400,000 children who now have a safe, comfortable place to sleep. On August 25, volunteers with SHP’s OH-Cincinnati chapter delivered the nonprofit’s 400,000th bed to a family with four children. The milestone delivery included two bunk beds, along with all new mattresses, pillows and bedding—all provided at no cost.
The Louisville Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, has provided 1882 beds to children in need in the Louisville area. Local 862 member Gabriel Witt, became involved with Sleep in Heavenly Peace through the Louisville United Way.
“Well, it was REALLY hot last weekend, but we had a really busy one!,” Gabriel stated. “ I highly recommend working the "build a bed" event for metro United way. If you don't know, it's a charitable event where Unions come together and work with the organization called SHP (Sleep in Heavenly Peace) their goal is to make sure every child in Louisville have a bed to sleep in. They take 500 applications and work through the list. It was actually quite fun despite the heat. Each station was setup and everybody rolled up their sleeves and knocked it out. My brother Buck Turner and I worked a station together and they put our awesome wives right to work in their stations!
Big thanks to Scarlett and Jenny on that one! Our Union brothers Ed Zeranko and Terrance also showed up and jumped in! Our local Union president Anthony Spencer, Missy Bennet, and the Mayor Greenberg dropped to offer their support as well. I want to give a big shout out to brother Tim Sanders for doing such an excellent job in leading the way. He's always working hard to make our UAW Local 862 set the standard in the community. Tim is an excellent, passionate, and generous labor liaison who has dedicated many hours of his personal time blazing a path for others to follow! It was Scarlett’s birthday weekend and she happily jumped right in there and got to work. We had a very busy weekend, but it worked out wonderfully, all in all. You don't have to be in a Union to be a part of this charity. If anyone has any interest we plan on putting together another Saturday in the coming months to go help out for a few hours. Please feel free to reach out and jump in. It won't be as hot next time! Come be a part of great people doing great things!”
“Psalms 4:8 says "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety,” states Local 862 President Anthony Spencer. “It warms our hearts to know that children will have their own bed to lie down to sleep and dwell in Safety.” “It was a great day,” added Vice President Buck Turner. “The idea of children sleeping on a floor should bother us all. Those of us in labor have a responsibility to improve the lives of those of us around us. Walter Ruether said “There is no greater calling than to serve your fellow men. There is no greater contribution than to help the weak.” Helping others must be our calling.”
To learn more about Sleep in Heavenly Peace, check out their website at https://shpbeds.org. This is a national organization with chapters all over the country.
Making a difference in our communities is the key to growing our movement. UAW Local 862 is well known in the Louisville Area and continues to make their presence felt to those in need in Lou City! |
