Health and Family Services Cabinet
Build-A-Bed Project Celebrates AmeriCorps Week in Kentucky; Public can participate at area build sites

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 12, 2009) – In honor of AmeriCorps week, two Kentucky service programs are making a difference by building beds they will deliver to families in need across the state.

Gov. Steve Beshear has proclaimed May 9-16 AmeriCorps Week in Kentucky to spotlight the work of AmeriCorps members and to encourage more people to serve their communities. Many

AmeriCorps programs are coordinating special service projects during that week.

Two programs, Strategically Using Creative Contexts to Ensure Student Success (SUCCESS) Corps and Family Resource and Youth Services Centers (FRYSC) Corps, are partnering on the Build-A-Bed project to benefit children in four regions across the commonwealth. The project has two southeastern Kentucky locations.

“We’ve heard stories of families where several children sleep in one bed, or some family members are sleeping on the floor,” said Eileen Cackowski, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service (KCCVS), part of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and administrator of the AmeriCorps program.

“Something as simple as their own proper place to rest can give children the boost of pride and confidence they need to perform better at school,” Cackowski said. 

During AmeriCorps week, members from the two programs and other community volunteers will build, sand, finish and deliver twin-size beds to children in need around the state.

“Bedtime bags” containing items such as twin-size sheets, pajamas, children’s books, nightlights, pillows, blankets and teddy bears will be delivered along with the beds.

The beds will be built at each site and then delivered in western, central, northeastern, and southeastern Kentucky. Program members are each raising $100 to pay for materials for the build, but donations of sandpaper and/or use of drills, electric sanders, clamps, vice grips, screwdrivers, and trucks for delivery use are welcome, said Angela Baldridge, SUCCESS Corps program director.

To assist with the Build-A-Bed project, “bedtime bag” donations are now being accepted by all state AmeriCorps members and will be accepted on site on the days of each build.

SUCCESS Corps members serve at-risk children in Kentucky using a research-based home visitation model called Parents as Teachers. Members support families and encourage increased school readiness and greater parental involvement in education. FRYSC Corps members serve under the supervision of FRYSC coordinators to provide reading tutoring for academically at-risk students.

“The creativity and resourcefulness of Kentucky AmeriCorps members never cease to delight and amaze me,” Cackowski said. “This AmeriCorps Week project is what service is all about -- meeting needs and bringing together communities to make a real, tangible difference in people’s lives.”

For more information about Kentucky’s AmeriCorps programs or AmeriCorps Week projects, call toll-free (800) 239-7404 or visit the KCCVS Web site at www.volunteerKY.ky.gov.

Build-A-Bed Locations
Below is a list of Build-A-Bed project dates and locations. The public is invited to assist and bring or mail donations to the project sites. All projects run from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. local time.

Monday, May 11 - Western Kentucky
South Fork Baptist Church
4915 New Jackson Highway
Hodgenville, KY 42748
(270) 325-3626
 
Tuesday, May 12 - Central Kentucky
Berea Independent Schools
3 Pirate Parkway
Berea, KY 40403
(859) 986-1021
(Meet under the football stadium)
 
Wednesday, May 13 - Northeastern Kentucky
Tollesboro Christian Church
3684 W Ky 10
Tollesboro, KY 41189
(606) 798-4209
 
Thursday, May 14 - Southeastern Kentucky Site No. 1
Carr Creek Family Resource Center
8596 S Highway 160
Littcarr, KY 41834
(606) 642-3831
 
Friday, May 15 - Southeastern Kentucky Site No. 2
Lend-A-Hand Center
3234 Highway KY 718
Walker, KY 40997
(606) 542-4212
 

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