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Seattle police project provides beds for children

SEATTLE — It's a project by the Seattle Police Department called Beds for Kids and it is in its sixth year, helping provide beds for children in the city.

"Right now, he's sleeping on a pallet,"  said Denita Simmons, referring to one of two children for whom she is caring.

"I have two children that I've been taking care of since birth. I've been retried for, like, since 2000. So, our income is kinda fragile. So, I was told about this program, they connected me, and got a new bed for him."

This year, SPD raised $75,000 to buy 200 beds for children.

On Saturday, the department gave out everything needed to make a bed, including mattresses, frames, a pillow, sheets, and a blanket for those who were in need.

SPD's project started in 2014 when two officers on a routine call noticed two little kids who didn't have beds. So, the officers bought them beds and wanted to make sure other children without beds had them too.

Seattle Police Department Chief Carmen Best said, "It is so important that people recognize that the police department is part of the community. We are all in this together and there's nothing more important than helping young people."

Those children who got beds were also students of kindergarten teacher Jessica Rodriguez at Dunlap Elementary. She helped volunteer at the event. She sees firsthand the importance of a good night's sleep.

"Sometimes when students don't get a good night's sleep, it really affects their day. Sometimes, they fall asleep in the middle of class and they're not quite learning. So this program has been kind of a godsend," Rodriguez said.

"I appreciate everything they're doing. They have no idea how they've touched some people's lives," Simmons said.

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