WAYS completes first Sweet Dreams Project, donates seven beds to children in need

Seven children in Washington now have brand-new beds to sleep in thanks to the Washington Area Youth Supporters (WAYS). The group was able to purchase new bed frames, mattresses and bedding for area youth in need through their first Sweet Dreams Project.

The mission of WAYS, said past president and current member, Brittany Gavin, is to 'support positive life experiences for the youth in our community.” She said the idea for the Sweet Dreams Project came after she saw a Facebook post of someone requesting a bed for a child who only had a couch to sleep on.

'It just kind of hit home, like, this is a need here in Washington and in the community,” she said.

Gavin then took the idea to the group, who then decided to contact HACAP to see how widespread the need was. Once they found out there were six children in need of a bed due to sleeping on an air mattress or couch and one child who only had a mattress to sleep on, Gavin said the group was shocked, but immediately sprung into action.

'That was kind of surprising to hear, so we said, ‘OK. We're going to do it,'” she said.

With the help of numerous donations from the community and Marshall's Furniture and Floor in Washington, they were able to purchase seven metal bed frames, box springs, mattresses, mattress protectors, new bedding and a pillow for each.

WAYS members also delivered all items to the families in need, an experience Gavin said was unforgettable.

'When we delivered, their eyes were sparkling. They were so excited for the deliveries and to set up their big girl or big boy beds, so it was a really great day,” she said.

The group would like to continue this tradition to keep helping community members in need because supporting the smallest members of the community is what the WAYS program is all about, she said.

'Our community is so wonderful and the way we look out for one another, it's one of those small-town benefits and just being able to be that group that can fulfill such an important need ... it's just kind of all-encompassing just to be a nonprofit group to come together to support the children in our communities. It's just a really great cause,” she said.