Nonprofit that gives beds to kids in need expands to Centre County. How to help

A nonprofit that has delivered hundreds of beds to children in need across central Pennsylvania recently expanded to Centre County, where organizers hope to draw more volunteers to help with growing demand.

Laura Orndorf established the Lock Haven chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace in 2022 after undertaking the necessary training.

“I had an empty nest. My last child went to college and I was a little bored,” Orndorf said. “I talked to [my minister]: ‘What do you think I might do with my life?’ And he suggested I do this.”

In September 2022, the chapter built and delivered six beds. By September 2023, it had built and delivered 130.

“We were pretty impressed with ourselves,” Orndorf said, “but we’ve grown exponentially.”

As bed requests from surrounding towns came to Orndorf’s attention and other regional chapters shut down — creating a gap but also allowing Orndorf to absorb some of their materials and equipment — the Lock Haven chapter expanded its work. It moved into Bellefonte in 2024, and then throughout all of Centre County and Lycoming County in September 2025.

Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s operations are relatively simple. On the organization’s website, anyone can apply to receive a bed for a child aged 3 to 17. Applicants can apply on behalf of their own child, or on behalf of someone else. Schools can likewise apply on behalf of students. Orndorf noted that her chapter has never turned a child down, building and delivering more than 400 beds to date.

Volunteers gather to build the beds and then likewise to deliver them, setting them up for the recipient. It’s a lot of work, Orndorf admits, but very rewarding.

“My whole life has been dedicated to kids. I had a rough childhood and, looking back at my childhood, my safe place in my home was in my bed, under the covers with Nancy Drew. Then I became a teacher and intentionally taught in rural, [low]-economic areas to help kids who struggled,” she said. “Having a place to sleep, it’s a human need. When I taught, kids would come in and they’re exhausted. ... We’d get kids sleeping on the couch or sleeping with grownups.”

According to Orndorf, 2-3% of children nationally sleep somewhere other than their own bed.

“That’s what called me,” she said. “We think every child deserves a safe, comfortable place to sleep, to wait for Santa, read a book and just feel safe.”

Over the last year, Orndorf said that demand for beds has increased, beyond just the expected growth that came with the chapter’s geographical expansion. She anticipates doubling last year’s deliveries. As such, the chapter is actively working to build community connections that can further support its work.

One simple way that organizations like churches or clubs can contribute is through bedding donations.

“The cost of a bed for us is about $300,” Orndorf said, “but if we get donated bedding — twin-sized bedding, [including] pillows, mattress protectors, sheets, comforters and throw blankets is what we give every child — that takes about a hundred dollars off the cost of the bed. I can usually get a mattress for about $70 and the bed itself is about $125 of lumber and parts.”

Currently, the chapter’s donation drop-off location is in Lock Haven, but Orndorf said it “would be great” if someone would volunteer to host a donation drop-off site in Centre County.

Volunteers can also participate in one of Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s build days, during which beds are constructed over 12 assembly stations, with more experienced volunteers showing newcomers the ropes.

“It’s a nice team building [activity],” Orndorf said. “It’s fun, it’s fulfilling, it’s rewarding — and then people are addicted to it and come back.”

For those interested in learning more about Sleep in Heavenly Peace, visit shpbeds.org/chapter/pa-lock-haven/. Orndorf also encourages those looking to support Sleep in Heavenly Peace’s mission to connect with her at 570-660-5494.