Editor’s note:

After publishing this letter, Jamie updated us with this information:

We have received an overwhelming amount of support and requests for beds since my letter to the Editor was published. Because of the high demand, we have had to change how we receive requests for assistance with a bed. We are now requiring a referral from a local agency to receive approval for a bed.

Those who make a request without a referral will receive confirmation that they have been added to a waiting list. When additional funds/donations become available, we will ask for an application to be submitted for review.

We want to be able to help every child in need, but we need help from the community! We are in immediate need of the following:

–          Monetary donations

–          Gently used bed frames & box springs

–          New mattresses

–          New pillows

–          Gently used or new sheets and pillow cases

–          Gently used or new comforters

If you would like to donate, please mail your check payable to the Shepherd’s House at 6300 Bittersweet Road, Wausau, WI 54401. Please note that it is for the AOK – Beds for Kids Program. Include your return address and you will receive a receipt for your donation.

Please contact us for more information at [email protected].

Dear Editor:

My name is Jamie. I am a local resident and the coordinator of the AOK (Acts of Kindness) Outreach Program at The Shepherd’s House in Rib Mountain, 6300 Bittersweet Road. I am reaching out to you because we have started a program that provides beds to children who currently do not have one. The age groups we are targeting are infant to 17 years old.

I am looking for children who would benefit from this gift! Our donation would include:

  • A Bed Frame
  • A New Mattress
  • New Bedding & Pillow
  • Bedtime Stories and a New Pair of Pajamas

This gift includes delivery and setup of the beds/cribs as well.

If there is more than one child in the home who doesn’t have a bed, we would provide a bed for each child without one. If children are sharing a room and bunk beds would be appropriate, we would provide the family with bunk beds. If there is an infant without a crib, we would provide a brand new crib.

What do I need from you? I need the names of children who need beds AND I need for you to keep my contact information for when you know of a child in need in the future. Please share this with your friends & family to help spread the word that we are ready and excited to help children get a better night’s sleep in a new and clean bed! We are also very appreciative of monetary donations.

I am aware of the confidentiality protocol and will follow those procedures. Previously I have received names of families in need after they have given their permission to the teacher/social worker to share their information with me. Then I facilitate delivery from there!

Thank you so much for helping us serve our community with this new and exciting initiative! Feel free to contact me anytime at [email protected].

Thank you for your support and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Jamie Fisher

Editor’s note: The Shepherd’s House is a Seventh-day Adventist church in Rib Mountain.

Wausau Pilot and Review will gladly publish letters from area organizations promoting their community outreach programs. We also publish letters of any length discussing issues that impact people in central Wisconsin. The views of our readers are independent of this newspaper and do not necessarily reflect the views of Wausau Pilot and Review. To submit a letter, email [email protected] or mail to P.O. Box 532, Wausau, Wis., 54402-0532.