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Head Start Beds
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The Head Start program helps give kids a head start in school. But the federally-funded program can’t pay for all of their needs, and that’s where some volunteers come in who help make sure they get good grades—by getting a good night’s sleep. Kim Riemland has the story. |
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SCRIPT:
(Locator: Plano, Texas)
“My poor wife parks outside.”
Tom Hutson’s garage is full. With all the beds, there’s no room for
cars.
He makes sure kids get a “head start”… by giving them a “bed start.”
Tom Hutson/Member, Custer Road United Methodist Church: “A lot of these
families, the kids are sleeping with the parents or they don’t have
beds.”
Hutson is a volunteer for
Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano,
near Dallas. In the last five years, church members have given more than
500 new and gently-used beds to families of children in the local Head
Start program.
Tina Hardison/Head Start Director, Plano ISD Meadows Elementary: “It’s
been proven through research that you cannot learn, you cannot function
appropriately, without a good night’s sleep.”
“Senora Aguilar? Oh, yeah. Hi.”
Hutson spends around 15 hours a week picking up and delivering beds.
Dalia Aguilar/Bed Recipient (through translator): “Thank you, thank you.
The church is good for our families.”
Teachers visit the homes first to see which families need them.
Tom Hutson/Member, Custer Road United Methodist Church: “The teacher
called and wanted to know if I had a full-size mattress. The family’s
mattress had gotten infested with roaches. “
Tina Hardison/Head Start Director, Plano ISD Meadows Elementary: “There
are some families where we go and there’s no furniture in the home.”
It’s a case of neighbors helping neighbors.
The Rev. Kenny Dickson/Custer Road United Methodist Church: “We may
think of the world and problems that may be a world away. But also, we
have the same problems just blocks away.”
For church members like Hutson, the reward is knowing hundreds of kids
are getting a better night’s sleep.
Tom Hutson/Member, Custer Road United Methodist Church: “Quite often you
get, a mother will be crying because we’ve delivered a bed. And kids are
running around. So, it’s a good feeling.”
TAG:
More than 900,000 children are now enrolled in Head Start programs
across the country.
For more information on the Head Start Beds program, contact Sara
Shinneman at Custer
Road United Methodist Church at 972-618-3450, ext. 239.