YHC brings Sleep in Heavenly Peace back for charity event
Young Harris, GA (10/15/2026) — Young Harris College continues its support for the Sleep in Heavenly Peace effort, bringing the charity back to campus Oct. 8 to work with the Blairsville operation.
"We are excited to partner once again with Sleep in Heavenly Peace because their mission is incredibly impactful, making sure no child in our community sleeps on the floor," said Emily Carella, YHC Vice President of Student Engagement and Athletics, and organizer of the YHC event. The charity last partnered with YHC in March 2026 and recently returned to YHC, working at Mayor's Park in Young Harris, with nearly 100 student volunteers helping out.
"At Young Harris College, we believe in creating a service-minded culture, and this is a hands-on way for our students to live that out," Carella said. "We built and assembled beds that will go directly to children in need. The Blairsville chapter has grown from delivering six beds a month to 10-12 a week locally."
Sleep in Heavenly Peace has 327 chapters across the United States, which have provided 340,000 beds to children between the ages of 3 and 17. The charity provides beds, mattresses, bedding, and pillows, all free of charge.
"We were excited to come back to Young Harris College after our event here last March," said Doug Murphy, president of the Blairsville chapter. "The students were eager to help and really made a difference, helping us construct 33 sets of beds. We ran out of material!"
Murphy got involved with the organization because he loved the focus on the local area.
"We will distribute these beds here in the local community. Which, when you support a charitable organization, you want to know your contribution makes a real difference. We were incredibly proud last year when Sleep in Heavenly Peace earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid's GuideStar for the eighth consecutive year.
"It means we're keeping our promise," Murphy continued. "When we say that 95 cents of every dollar donated goes directly to building and delivering beds for children in need, we mean it. This remarkable efficiency rate isn't just a number - it represents real beds and a lasting impact on the lives of the children we serve and those we have the potential to serve in the future."
In addition to events like the one on Oct. 8, Murphy says there are plenty of ways to help out. Donations to the Blairsville chapter can be made here: bit.ly/409hGOb.
"We always need donations to help us build up our tools and related bed-building components," he said. "And we also need linens for our bed deliveries. Frankly, we could use any and all help that anyone could offer. Please, reach out to us at shpbeds.org or call (844) 432-2337, extension 6135."
Media Attachments
Henrique Borlido was one of 100 YHC students who volunteered with the Blairsville chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace Oct. 8 as they built beds for children in the community.
More than 100 YHC students volunteered with the Blairsville chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace Oct. 8 as they built beds for children in the community.
More than 100 YHC students volunteered with the Blairsville chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace Oct. 8 as they built beds for children in the community.
Young Harris College
Steve Esser, slesser@yhc.edu, (706) 379-5331Share this Story
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