Building Beds, Building Hope - Lambda Sigma Hosts Annual Bed Drive

03/07/2025

Written by Aden Kastens   

On Saturday, March 1, more than 190 students from various Jax State organizations volunteered their time in an effort to provide community children in need with something that so many take for granted - a bed. The Lambda Sigma Honor Society hosted the event in partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), which promises, "No kid sleeps on the floor in our town." Starting with raw lumber, volunteers cut, drilled, branded, and stained each piece before assembling 65 beds from scratch. Over the next few weeks, those beds will be hand-delivered to children in the community without a place to sleep. 

As successful as this year's drive was, it wouldn't have been possible without Emily Barfield, who introduced the bed drive to Beta Pi, the Jax State chapter of Lambda Sigma in 2019. Barfield, who currently works as a counselor, was initially inspired by a deep sense of service and social work that she believes is her calling. "We started with a book drive, but what's the point in books if you have nowhere to read them?" said Barfield, who served as Lambda Sigma president from 2019-2020. "We thought about what to do and found Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which was convenient since all we had to do was provide donations, people, and space to create the beds."  

Those early drives were a challenge simply because "Jacksonville is so small," she said. "Getting donations from local businesses was tough, especially when every organization has its own philanthropy event. On top of that, we started it during COVID, so it had to be pushed back. The bed drive has become Beta Pi's main philanthropic event. The Beta Pi Chapter of Lambda Sigma's purpose is to foster leadership, scholarship, fellowship, and the spirit of service. Outreach programs like the bed drive have shaped Barfield's outlook on helping others in her own life. "Service and social work has always been a big part of my life," she said. "This was the first major project I put together, and seeing how these small decisions can lead to such a big impact really resonated with me. Now, as a counselor, it aligns with my goals of making a difference and helping others."  

Returning to the event she founded is both bittersweet and nostalgic for Barfield. "But it's also been amazing to see how much everybody has grown and to witness the development of the university and the chapter," she said. "I think, from here on, the bed drive will continue to thrive and grow. We built 60 or more beds today, so I can only imagine that the number will continue to increase. The possibilities are endless, and this event proves there are so many ways to help our community."  

Barfield's advice for future Bed Drive organizers and volunteers is simple. "Stick with it," she said. "Let businesses know how they can help, gain support from the community, and steward the event well when passing the torch. That's key to growing any service project, especially one as community-centered as this."  

This year's Bed Drive was made possible through the generous support of the following groups and community partners: Jax State Social Work Student Organization, Jax State Financial Management Association (FMA) Student Organization, Jax State Fraternity and Sorority Life Community, Jax State Honors Program, Jax State Football Team, Jacksonville First United Methodist Church, McDonald's of Jacksonville, Jack's of Jacksonville, Jefferson's of Jacksonville, Whataburger of Jacksonville, Chick-fil-A of Jacksonville, BGTV Studios of Trussville, Alabama, Evelyn Moon Children's Services, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Gadsden Chapter, and Friends and Family Members of Lambda Sigma. 

Through their collective efforts, dozens of children in the community will have a safe and comfortable place to sleep.