Leadership Oswego County Class of 2025 Gives Back, Builds Beds for Local Children

by Submitted article | May 31, 2025 11:37 am

Oswego, NY – The Leadership Oswego County (LOC) Class of 2025 recently demonstrated their commitment to community and collaboration through a hands-on project, partnering with Syracuse, NY Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) to make a meaningful difference in the lives of local children.
LOC, an annual leadership development program administered by SUNY Oswego’s Office of Professional Development, prepares selected Oswego County residents to become future community stewards. As part of their class project, members participated in a bed-building event on March 29 with SHP—a national nonprofit organization committed to the mission that “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.” Over the course of just three hours, participants worked alongside SHP volunteers to build 31 beds for children in need.
Following the build, the class delivered 34 beds across Oswego County during two separate delivery days, ensuring each one was fully set up and ready for a child to sleep in that night. To further support SHP’s mission, the 21-person class also organized a bedding drive, collecting over 30 items—including sheets, comforters, and pillows—to help provide a complete and comfortable sleep experience for each child.

“At Sleep in Heavenly Peace, we believe service is about much more than constructing beds for kids in need. Our mission of ‘No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town!’ extends to building communities, transforming lives, and creating opportunities for personal growth and learning. Every bed we build demonstrates the power of service and the incredible potential that emerges when people come together with a shared purpose.”— Sleep In Heavenly Peace (Source: shpbeds.org)

The experience left a lasting impression on participants.
“It was both humbling and deeply inspiring,” said Jessica Steele, Leadership Oswego County student and Senior Social Services Specialist.
“I had no idea my heart would feel so full,” added Shelby Fowler, LOC student and Executive Administrative Manager at Oswego County Opportunities, Inc. “A good night’s sleep and having a bed to call your own could make a huge difference to someone’s future.”

The bed-building initiative is just one example of how Leadership Oswego County participants are actively learning about and contributing to the betterment of their community.

To learn more about Leadership Oswego County, visit:
https://ww1.oswego.edu/extended-learning/office-professional-development/leadership-oswego-county
For more information about the Syracuse NY Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace and their mission, visit:
https://shpbeds.org/chapter/ny-syracuse/

Point of Contact:
Shelby Fowler
LOC Class of 2025
Email: [email protected]

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/community/leadership-oswego-county-class-of-2025-gives-back-builds-beds-for-local-children/

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