‘Abetter night’s sleep’ for the kids
Houston Children’s Charity gives away hundreds of mattresses to families in need
Melany Leyva won’t be sharing a bunk bed with her younger brother Damien anymore.
The 6-year-old-was among the recipients of 250 mattresses distributed Saturday morning as part of the Houston Children’s Charity’s “A Better Night’s Sleep” program. Dozens of trucks with their tailgates hanging open, SUVs and even a few U-Haul trucks waited in line at Texas Mattress Makers, which donated the twin mattresses for distribution.
“I’m very appreciative (of) what they’re doing for us,” said Myra Bedolla, Melany’s mother who learned of the program through someone atwork, about 10minutes into waiting.
She glanced at her daughter, jubilant and silent in the passenger seat.
“She says ‘OK, I’m waiting to see howmy bed is going to be,’ ” Bedolla said. Was Melany excited? She nodded in approval.
Once a vehicle reached the front of the line, a volunteer directed the driver to a spot where a cadre of helper swould plop the mattress and bed frame into the trunk or truck bed. Another volunteer delivered a short stack of pillows and sheets. In a matter of minutes the operation was complete and a wide smile filled the faces of youngsters in back seats and those riding shotgun.
The charity hosts the event about once a month, giving out anywhere between 100 to 300 beds, said Rebecca Hernandez, its program services manager. But this year presented a few obstacles. The coronavirus pandemic halted the distribution in March and April and the threat of hurricanes and strong storms forced a few postponements.
Organizers found a smooth transition to make the distribu-
tion pandemic-safe, Hernandez said, considering some families didn’t exit their vehicles before there was the threat of a virus. People were required to wear a face covering while the organization positioned some sanitation stations and made the pick-up drivethru.
Saturday’s distribution was the last one of this year, but the need for beds is far from diminished. Hernandez said the familieswho received beds applied for them in June or earlier. Before the pandemic, the waiting time for a family to receive beds after approval stretched about 60 days. Currently the charity has roughly a three-month waiting period.
“Rain or shine, we are here,” Hernandez said. “It’s about less phone calls I get that are: ‘My child’s sleeping on the floor.’ ”
Michelle Fisher, 32, was picking up beds that her children verymuch needed, she said. Her 9-year-old had been sleeping on a pull-out bed.
“It’s not comfy at all,” Fisher said.
But that was to change Saturday.
“I’m pretty blessed to get this before Christmas,” she said. “Especially this year.”