The Gift of Giving Back
Sometimes the best gifts can’t be wrapped. In the spirit of community, our team decided to forgo our traditional holiday gift exchange this past year. Instead, we pooled our resources to support the local branch of Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an international charity dedicated to the mission that no child sleeps on the floor.
The inspiration for this charitable act came from a longtime client who is the president of the local branch of the nonprofit. During his visits to Riverside Animal Hospital with his pet, he often shared stories about the charity's work and its impact on the community. His kindness and passion for the cause made a memorable impact on our team.
"He is always so kind to the staff while at the clinic and has so much passion for what he does. His work is inspiring," said veterinarian Dr. Andrea Moede.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a remarkable organization that addresses the hidden crisis of child bedlessness. What began as a local organization has now grown to an international effort with over 350 chapters of volunteers who build and deliver beds for children who would otherwise sleep on the floor. Along with bed frames, they also provide mattresses and bedding so that each child has a comfortable place to sleep and dream big.
Together, our team donated 14 mattresses to this incredible cause! The mattresses, delivered to families within our community, were a message of hope. According to the Sleep in Heavenly Peace website, “We do more than build beds—we build strong communities and hope, lifting one child off the floor at a time.”
We have created a supportive and compassionate environment for team members and clients alike that extends beyond our practice walls. Through the simple act of listening and genuinely connecting with our client, our team was able to support not only him but also our entire community. These collective efforts between our hospital staff, clients, and local nonprofits remind us of the power of community and that giving back is the greatest gift of all.