By Gery L. Deer

Editor

When we think about what makes a child healthy and safe, a bed might not be the first thing that comes to mind. But for many families in Greene County, something as simple as a bed can change everything.

On Friday, November 7, a group of volunteers, donors, and community leaders gathered at the Morris Home Furniture warehouse in Fairborn to do just that—change lives, one mattress at a time. The event was part of the “Hope to Dream” campaign, a partnership between the United Way of Greater Dayton Area’s Greene County office, the Fairborn FISH Pantry, Morris Home Furniture, donors, and volunteers. Together, they provided more than 60 beds and two cribs for families in need—complete with frames, box springs, and linens.

As volunteers lined up trucks and trailers outside the Morris Furniture warehouse, volunteers braved darkening November skies and looming rain to load and deliver beds across Fairborn. Inside, organizers smiled through the bustle, knowing the difference those deliveries would make before the day was over.

“We are proud to host this Hope to Dream event for the Fairborn community,” said Robert Klaben, executive vice president of Morris Furniture Company. “We’ve been doing this kind of work for more than 20 years, and it’s gratifying to know that kids will be sleeping in their own beds tonight.” For some children, that’s a first.

According to the nonprofit Sleep in Heavenly Peace, more than 2.2 million children in the United States don’t have a bed of their own—many sleeping on couches, air mattresses, or even the floor. Research shows that children who sleep well are more likely to perform better in school, develop emotionally and socially, and enjoy better long-term health. Lack of adequate sleep, on the other hand, can contribute to anxiety, behavioral struggles, and difficulty focusing while in class. That’s why Hope to Dream is about more than furniture—it’s about dignity, safety, and the opportunity to thrive.

“This is an opportunity to give children something that belongs to them,” said Tom Kelley, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Dayton Area. “A bed gives them a sense of identity, safety, and security. It allows them to rest and dream, moving them out of often unsafe or unstable conditions. That’s very important to their development—and their hope.”

Now in its third year serving Greene County, Hope to Dream has become a signature partnership among the United Way, Fairborn FISH Pantry, and Morris Home Furniture. It also continues to grow thanks to an increasing network of local partners, including CareSource, Buckeye Health Plan, International Harvester Credit Union, Joseph and Amanda Jenkins, Jamie’s Tire & Service, Kroger, and others.

“This year we had so many generous people come together to make it happen,” said Rebecca Cantrell, Greene County Director for United Way of Greater Dayton. “Linens have already been delivered and Kroger donated gift baskets. The Greene County Public Library provided books so every child can start a library of their own. They’ll have everything they need for a good night’s sleep.”

At the Fairborn FISH Pantry, Executive Director Jane Doorley has seen firsthand how a simple gift like a bed can transform a family’s outlook.

“When families come to FISH, we talk to them,” Doorley said. “Some tell us their children are sleeping on the floor or sharing a bed with a parent. Others have just moved into their own apartment after struggling for years, but they have nothing to sleep on. The impact of getting their own bed is huge.”

She remembers one little dark-haired girl from last year’s event. “When she saw her bed, she was like, ‘Is this mine? Do I get to keep it?’ She couldn’t believe it, a bed that’s really hers.”

Doorley also recalled a mother who told her, “Once I got beds for my children, it was like a black cloud lifted. I felt like things were going to be okay. I was able to get a job, and my family’s just happier now.” That’s what hope looks like.

Hope to Dream reaches families, in part, through referrals from community programs like Greene County Family and Children First, which provides case management for United Way’s Strong Families program.

“Our mission is to help families increase their financial stability and meet basic needs,” said Brent Lewis, the agency’s director and chair of the Greene County Advisory Board for United Way. “Helping kids have a safe place to sleep at night is part of that. It’s foundational.”

By the end of the day, every bed and crib had found a home. And as rain fell over Fairborn, there were dozens of children drifting off to sleep—many for the first time—in a space of their own, under warm blankets, dreaming new dreams.

It may seem like a small thing, but for these families, it’s a turning point. Because sometimes, hope starts with something as simple as a bed. **

How You Can Help

United Way of Greater Dayton Area
Visit www.dayton-unitedway.org to learn more or donate.
Phone: (937) 225-3001

Fairborn FISH Pantry
Provides food and household assistance to Fairborn families in need.
Donations and volunteers are always welcome.
Location: 1149 N. Broad St., Fairborn, OH 45324
Phone: (937) 879-1313

Morris Home Furniture – Hope to Dream Program
A portion of every mattress purchase helps fund a bed for a child in need.
Learn more at www.morrisathome.com.

Here are some scenes from the day…