A shop vac whirred and buzz saws whined in an EXPION360 warehouse in Redmond on Thursday, where volunteers for Sleep in Heavenly Peace cut, drilled and stacked hundreds of planks in preparation to build more 50 beds for children.

The work, spearheaded by the Central Oregon chapter for the national Sleep in Heavenly Peace organization, focuses on providing something many may not consider when thinking of childhood poverty: beds.

For many in poverty, beds are a costly item that can eat into money needed for shelter or food; leaving children without a bed of their own.

Joe Myers, Central Oregon chapter president for SHP, said the focus is on children who may be sleeping on the floor or in undesirable situations and those who don’t have adequate sleeping arrangements.

“We provide a bed, mattress and bedding for the child free of charge so the child can get a good night’s sleep,” Myers said.

Myers has lived a vicarious life but has found a home with SHP. He was a sheriff first, then retired after he was wounded multiple times. He ran a successful steel and fastener business until it went belly-up in the 2008 financial crisis. Then, he became a pilot crisscrossing the skies. Eventually, Myers found his way to SHP and has focused his energy on helping others.

The beds the group builds, go to families from all levels of need — from kids whose beds are falling apart to those sleeping on couches to those sleeping on a pile of dirty clothes in a corner.

“(My) heart breaks seeing some of where they live. But, seeing their joy and happiness when they get a bed is heartwarming,” Myers said. “(I) always say it’s the hardest and most gratifying thing I’ve ever done.”

Patrick Fortner, a team member who became involved about two years ago, said they never judge the parents for their situations. Sometimes, he said, the situations that lead to children needing a bed are unavoidable.

Fortner remembered a 7-year-old boy who was going to live with his grandparents because his dad was waiting for a heart transplant and they didn’t have a bed for him.

“You never know,” he said. “You just never know.”

The need is high. The beds they build in February, Myers said, will all be gone in the next two weeks.

Since SHP came to Central Oregon three years ago, it has delivered 539 beds to children, or nearly 180 per year. The group plans to build and deliver some 500 beds this year alone.

The goal is closer now that SHP has found a new partner in EXPION360 — a local, Redmond-based company that manufactures lithium batteries.

EXPION360 not only hosted the SHP build event at one of their unused facilities after SHP lost their previous host, but they also provided all the materials needed to build 50 beds and paid their employees to help.

“We’re going to be able to double this year thanks to EXPION360,” Myers said.

Paul Shoun, chief operating officer of EXPION360, said he heard about the organization through a friend and that the company was looking for local charities to support. He said they loved what SHP was doing and thought it would be a good way for the company to get involved in the local community.

“Whatever we can do to help,” Shoun said.

According to Myers, the donation of the building for the build event means they’ll be able to supply an additional eight beds for those in need.

“We’re just so grateful,” Myers said.

For Shoun, the organization’s mission hits close to home. As a kid, he remembered growing up in a family that didn’t have much money.

“My mom was amazing. We never knew we were poor,” Shoun said. “Growing up going to the food bank, I always thought it was just a grocery store.”

The kindness they received from the volunteers there, he said, has stuck with him.

When he heard about the Sleep in Heavenly Peace program, he said, it fit with what they were looking for.

“I love to help programs that are helping kids,” Shoun said. “(It) can get families back together.”

And, the organization gives the community an opportunity to get involved. While there are a lot of charities in Central Oregon, Shoun said some don’t always let the community volunteer. SHP, on the other hand, allows anyone to help out.

Myers said there are two things SHP focuses on: first, supplying beds to kids in need. Second, giving people in the community an opportunity to volunteer and give back.

“We depend on everyone’s goodness and graciousness to help us build the beds,” Myers said.

Shoun said he hopes to do a couple of building days a year with SHP. It means more, he said, than just donating money.

“Hands-on charity work touches the heart more than cash,” he said.

Many of the volunteers, including Darrell Knott, a retired firefighter who joined SHP about two years ago, felt this same sentiment.

“There’s a direct benefit,” Knott said. “You see a kid with a big smile on their face (during deliveries).”

Fortner remembers one family that knew they were receiving a bed that day. They came running down the sidewalk when SHP arrived and wanted to help put the beds together.

“They were so excited you can’t hardly believe it,” Fortner said. “They were overjoyed.”