Sunrise Rotary Learns Of Volunteers "Building Beds For Kids".

On September 9, Melanie Benner, Missions Director at Bridgepoint Church, 6690 Crosswinds Dr., in St. Petersburg, FL, spoke with the Sunrise Rotary Club at its 7:45 AM meeting at the Saint Petersburg Yacht Club at 11 S Central Ave, St. Petersburg.

Benner heads up an outreach program that started building beds in 2014. The Bridgepoint Congregation first heard of the idea from an organization in Kentucky.

The Kentucky group was providing beds for kids in their community who didn't have one of their own to sleep in. After recognizing the need in their own community, Bridgepoint Church introduced the idea to Pinellas County, and since 2014, has built over 4,700 beds.

Benner described to the club how beds are assembled and delivered by a large corps of volunteers who spend their Saturdays bringing hope to children and families in need in Pinellas County through the gift of a bed. Volunteers build and assemble each bed and deliver and set them up in the family's homes. Families who are serviced by this benefit through referrals, caseworkers in schools, and other community leaders identified by the church. "Building Beds" at Bridgepoint Church is limited to serving Pinellas County.

In the coming weeks, we will hear about Homes for Heroes, a program designed to make homes affordable for our teachers and first responders, as well as Dr. Shedrick, who will discuss the great programs that Pinellas Tech provides to prepare students for exciting and meaningful careers.

More information can be obtained at www.buildingbeds.org