World Sleep Day
March 17th is World Sleep Day! An internationally recognized day that aims to raise awareness about sleep health. The slogan for this year is “Sleep is Essential for Health.” Did you know the total amount of time we sleep each night is not the only factor of healthy sleep? Sleep also needs to be long enough so you feel rested the next day, uninterrupted, and deep enough to leave you restored.
Every day is Healthy Sleep Day at OHAAT. We know how important healthy sleep is to a child’s physical, mental, and social well-being. Sleep affects a child’s growth, physical health, immune system, alertness, attention span, academic performance, and mood. Lack of healthy sleep is linked to diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, impaired judgement, impaired cognitive performance, and mental health issues. Underserved children in our community without a bed of their own are not getting the sleep they need to thrive, that’s where we come in…..
The Beds for Kids program addresses this issue by providing beds and bedding to children and youth in the Greater Philadelphia area. In partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Joseph’s University we have been involved in three sleep studies that demonstrate that children served by the Beds for Kids Program sleep longer each night than they had previously. Until every child in our community has a bed of their own to sleep in, we will tirelessly pursue our mission of ending childhood bedlessness.
Ways to honor World Sleep Day with OHAAT:
Send a set of sheets for less than $10 from our Target or Walmart wishlists.
Donate $37 to fund a bedtime bag.
Make a no-sew blanket at home or your business.
Consider bringing some family or colleagues for a morning of volunteering.
Start a collection drive of new bedding or books.