Volunteers welcome at “bed build” this Saturday

By Editor | February 20, 2025 |

JWCC ag student Abe Welbourne presents a group of goats to primary and secondary students Addiley Schmidt, Sydnee Kassing, and Brooklyn Hackamack at Saturday’s livestock evaluation clinic at the JWCC ag center outside Perry. JWCC student Abbi Hudson assists Kassing. The event was JWCC’s second livestock evaluation clinic for younger students, and, according to JWCC faculty member Beathany Beeler, the clinic attracted 50 participating students from seven different counties. (Submitted photo)

JWCC student Emma Taylor looks on while classmate Maxwell Perry carries a sheep during the process of setting up for JWCC’s second youth livestock evaluation clinic, which was held on Saturday at the ag center outside Perry. The event attracted 50 primary and secondary level participants from seven counties. The event was planned and facilitated by current JWCC ag students. (Submitted photo)

By DAVID CAMPHOUSE

This winter’s bedding drive that has been sponsored by John Wood Community College’s (JWCC) Rotaract Club culminates this Saturday, Feb. 22, with a bed building event hosted by Bradshaw Custom Pumping in Griggsville.
The “bed build” will consist of volunteers constructing 40 beds for local children in need of a permanent bed.
According to JWCC Manager of Regional Centers Diane Vose, the bed build is a collaborative effort of JWCC’s Rotaract Chapter, the Rotary Club of Pike County, and Sleep in Heavenly Peace of the Liberty area.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s organizational goal is to ensure that every child has a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Vose said that many Rotaract members and other JWCC students have an interest in making the bedding drive and bed build a success.
“Many of our students are education majors or parents, and they understand that having a suitable place to sleep or not affects all of a child’s development,” Vose said.
Vose indicated that her involvement with Sleep in Heavenly Peace started when the Rotary Club of Pike County conducted a bed build a number of years ago, and she said that adequate bedding for children continues to be a need in Western Illinois.
“I learned about Sleep in Heavenly Peace through Rotary,” Vose said. “We did a very successful bed build about five years ago. Members of Rotary have stayed involved with Sleep in Heavenly Peace by delivering beds to homes. The need isn’t going away.”
The bed build will take place Saturday, February 22, at 7:30 a.m. at Bradshaw Custom Pumping, located at 30494 IL-107, Griggsville.
According to a Facebook post all volunteers would be welcome to participate, and volunteers do not need any special experience or skills. Volunteers are encouraged to register at https://x.gldn.io/e/lmFoAisfbQb
Residents who wish to assist the project but don’t have time to volunteer this Saturday are encouraged to drop off donated items during the bed build event at Bradshaw Custom Pumping. New pillows, new twin mattresses, or new/handmade twin bedding (including bed-in-a-bag) are items encouraged for donation by event organizers.
For more information, contact Vose at [email protected] or visit the bed build Facebook event page at https://www.facebook.com/share/1GcVrf4h6e/.