Pro Humanitate in Action: Wake Forest Staff Build 16 Beds for Local Children
What happens when 40 staff members from 18 different departments step away from their desks for 2 hours and pick up tools? Lives get changed.
On Tuesday, June 16, the Wake Forest Staff Advisory Council (SAC) hosted its Pro Humanitate Project bed build. The campus community partnered with local non-profit A Bed & A Book to construct safe, comfortable places for children in our community to sleep and read.
A Bed & A Book traces its roots back to Anneliese Wall, whose experiences with the local District Attorney’s office revealed a heartbreaking reality: many children in our community were sleeping on bare floors. She vividly recalls her first service project involving children whose only bedding was a shower curtain spread over the floor with a single blanket.
The Impact by the Numbers
The energy at the University Activity Space (formerly The Barn) was electric as volunteers transformed bed kits into beautifully completed bed frames. Thanks to the overwhelming turnout, the event hit some incredible milestones:
- 40 dedicated staff members rolled up their sleeves to volunteer
- 18 different campus departments were represented, making it a true university-wide community effort
- 16 brand-new beds were completely built and are ready for delivery to local homes
- 106 area children are currently on the waiting list for beds within our community, making today’s build a vital step forward in reducing that number
Celebrating a Major Milestone
This build comes at a momentous time for our community partners. A Bed & A Book recently distributed its 1,000th bed to a child in need. To honor this landmark achievement, Mayor Allen Joines of Winston Salem recently recognized the organization with an official city proclamation, celebrating their profound, ongoing impact within the community.
By joining forces, Wake Forest staff directly contributed to this growing legacy, ensuring that fewer children have to sleep on the floor and providing them with a foundation for better health and learning.
Voices from the Build
The physical work was rewarding, but the emotional connection to the mission was what truly drove the volunteers. Here is what a few of our Wake staff members had to say about the bed build:
“It was overwhelming to see all the pieces in the box, but as you put them together, you see it become a bed – and realize the impact that you will have on a child and their family.”
“This is such a fun Pro Humanitate event. I always try to participate and know that we are making a difference within the community.”
Thank you to everyone who donated their time, energy, and teamwork. Together, we are actively impacting the lives of children within the community and living out our motto in a tangible, beautiful way!
