UTICA — City officials and first responders put down the normal tools of their trade on Monday and instead picked up hammers and other bed-building implements with one goal in mind — helping the local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace deliver beds for children in the community who would otherwise go without.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a nationwide charitable organization comprised of volunteers from chapters across the country who build, assemble and deliver beds to children in need.

The Utica chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace was founded in August 2021 by Steve Sperbeck, who serves as chapter president. Since founding the local chapter, Sperbeck and Sleep in Heavenly Peace volunteers have built and delivered 875 beds to families in the Mohawk Valley — providing children with more than a comfortable spot to rest their heads at night but also the understanding that the community as a whole cares about them.

“We have a wonderful group of about 40 to 50 volunteers that come out for everything, to help us with this venture,” Sperbeck said. “It’s been really rewarding to give back to kids that are sleeping on the floor or don’t have adequate sleeping conditions, and we really had a need in this area.”

The beds received from Sleep in Heavenly Peace include a wooden bed frame built by local volunteers, a new mattress, as well as new sheets, pillows, and a comforter, which are all donated to the Utica chapter.

According to Sperbeck, there is a significant need for children’s beds in the Mohawk Valley and especially in Utica. Out of the 875 beds delivered to families in the Mohawk Valley, 540 of them have been delivered to families in Utica.

Despite the organization's success so far, the need for additional beds remains.

It is that need and the often incredible joy of a youngster having their own bed, that prompted Sperbeck to invite Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri and members of the Utica police and fire departments to come and join Monday’s effort.

Palmieri and members of other departments assisted with the delivery and assembly of three beds for a family living in west Utica. The mayor said that project gave them an opportunity not just to help out but to help members of the community see the police and firefighters in a different light.

Seeing those first responders in a positive light will help foster healthy relationships between law enforcers, first responders and the public — as most children see the first responders during difficult situations, seeing them in a more positive light will be able to help foster healthy relationships.

“Generally, when some of the younger kids see police, it’s looked at as confrontational and we’re trying to continue with our outreach to make sure that they’re looked at in a way that they are helping families,” Palmieri said.

“The Utica police and fire departments are dedicated to serving our residents and its great to see them helping in other ways as well,” the mayor added. “We’re a family in the city of Utica and it’s great as a mayor to watch our family come together for a cause so worthy.”

For more information on Sleep in Heavenly Peace, to donate or volunteer for the local Utica chapter, or to apply for a bed, visit: shpbeds.org/chapter/ny-utica.