“Beds For Bulldogs” Will Bring Trenton-Gallatin Communities Together For A Good Cause

There’s nothing like a good night’s sleep and thanks to a joint effort between the Bright Futures organizations in the Trenton R-9 and Gallatin R-5 school districts, some students in those two districts will be coming to school a lot more rested and ready to learn.
The two organizations, coordinated by Terri Critten at Trenton and Shonna Morrison at Gallatin, have joined forces to launch “Beds for Bulldogs,” an initiative that will provide a new mattress and frame for students in need as well as a new set of bedding.
Both Bright Futures organizations have noticed an increased need for beds, a basic need, in recent years and agree with the Centers for Disease Control that sleep is an essential human need that “contributes to a student’s overall health and well being.”
Mrs. Critten spoke to those gathered in October for the Bright Futures Trenton Celebration of the need for beds and a sponsor to help get the project started.
“We have local students sleeping on the floor, in recliners, on air mattresses and sometimes sharing a crowded bed with multiple siblings,” she said. “Sometimes a mattress becomes unsanitary or broken down and a student’s family doesn’t have the resources to replace it.”
At that time she noted that the district had already had six requests for beds – from the Children’s Division of the Department of Social Services, school counselors, Head Start and mental health care workers. Some beds were purchased with Bright Futures funds while others were gently used an donated by local community members. One problem the group encountered is that it sometimes took several days or more for the need to be filled.
The two Bright Futures organizations dreamed of launching the joint effort and put out a call for a business, organization, a compassionate group of friends, a church or any group of champions to help get the initiative under way. Cindy Roy, an employee of Farmer’s Bank of Northern Missouri, heard the call and took the need to Dennis Brammer, branch manager of Farmer’s Bank at Gallatin, and Amy Lewis, branch manager at Trenton. The bank has responded, donating $1,000 toward the program and offering to match donations up to another $1,000.
But that’s not all. Mrs. Roy put together a package for easy ordering of all that is needed to furnish a bed and bedding and secured storage at Wesley United Methodist Church in Trenton so that a few beds can be kept in inventory for easy availability when the need arises. Scott Roy Auction Service has purchased the first bed and has it ready to go.
Each bed “kit” (frame, mattress, bedding and mattress protector) costs approximately $380 and the group has set a goal of sponsoring 10 beds to ensure better sleep for 10 students. The goal, according to the coordinators, is to meet the need within 24 hours of the request coming in.
This is where the public can help! When the Gallatin Bulldogs host the Trenton Bulldogs in two varsity basketball games on Tuesday, Jan. 4, all gate proceeds will benefit the “Beds for Bulldogs” Fund for the two schools. The varsity girls game will kick off the evening with a 6 p.m. contest, with the varsity boys to follow. In addition, those who wish to make an additional donation to the project may do so at that time, designating which school they would like the donation to benefit.
Even those who can’t attend the game, can mail checks made payable to Bright Futures Gallatin to 602 S. Olive St., Gallatin, MO 64640 OR to Bright Futures Trenton to P.O. Box 593, Trenton, MO 64683. The memo line should indicate that the donation is for “Beds for Bulldogs.”