Tonight, in our Northwest Community an untold number of children will go to sleep without a bed to sleep on. This at a time when a good night’s rest with school beginning is critical to learning not to mention a child’s health. Now imagine that two Seattle Police Officers are working hard to change that and provide brand new beds with bedding and pillows to those children most in need.
Beds for Kids started in 2014 by Officers Jeremy Wade and Ryan Gallagher. When the officers arrived at a call in Seattle’s Central District, they witnessed two young girls living in a home with their grandparents, both sleeping on the floor without a bed to call their own. The next day, and with their own money, the officers purchased and set up two beds for the two young girls. Seeing the joy these children expressed and realizing that many more children in Seattle were living under similar circumstances, the Beds for Kids Project was born. In partnership with the Seattle Police Foundation and sponsors in Seattle, this project has provided much-needed beds so that children in our community can have a good night’s sleep.
Contributing partners in the 2017 project include the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Police Foundation, OfferUp, Mattress Firm, Lamar Advertising Company, The Paramount Hotel and Make Unity, along with KIRO Radio’s “Ron and Don Show” who are all in to help make this the best year yet. There is room for more organizations to join us and support this effort.
In 2017, the goal of all partners is to provide 600 local children in need with mattresses, bed frames, sheet sets, comforters, pillows and a Teddy bear. On September 30, 2017, selected families will have the opportunity to claim their new beds from designated locations in King, Pierce and Snohomish Counties.
“Over the last three years we have been amazed to see how many kids sleep on the floor in our community” said Officer Jeremy Wade, co-founder of “Beds for Kids.” “So far, through this Seattle Police Department “Beds for Kids” program we have been able to provide over 500 local kids with a brand-new bed. This year’s goal of 600 beds is our most ambitious yet, but with the support of our partners and the public, we know it can be done.”
To schedule an interview with Officers Jeremy Wade and Ryan Gallagher contact Officer Wade at 206.200.6940, jeremy.wade@seattle.gov or Detective Patrick Michaud at (206)684-5520, patrick.michaud@seattle.gov.
To learn more, donate to this year’s event or to suggest a family who would benefit from this program please visit www.bedsforkidsseattle.com
