With the help of social media, a homeless shelter in Texas receives just the thing it needs: bunk beds. It all started when the Grayson County Shelter posted on Facebook, asking whether anybody had metal bunk beds that they could donate.
The First Response
After seeing the post, Shawna Lee, a flower shop owner in Denison, decides to help. She thought of someone of who could help: John Gaylord of Mattresses Plus More. According to him, he saw a deal online on bunk beds, which cost only $190 each. These were good quality beds that he thought would really come useful in the shelter.
Social media helps philanthropist promote buying beds for a homeless shelter in Texas. (Image: Steven McDonald (CC) via Flickr)
The Responses Grow
After that first response, Lee began asking people to purchase bunk beds, and the list of donors grew from there. The aim is to acquire 18 new beds for the shelter, as according to Ashley Earls, the director, the wooden beds that they have are already old and rickety. Metal bunk beds would definitely work better as they are more durable.
In just a matter of two weeks, Lee shares that she has almost reached the goal of 18 new metal bunk beds. She has even picked out a color for them: bright red. As people would be using these beds only temporarily, she believes that red would be a great color.
Social Media Power
With the help of Lee and other business owners from Denison, the Grayson County Shelter was able to obtain the beds they needed. This is proof that there is power in using social media, especially when it comes to helping people. According to Lee, it makes her happy to be able to help, and that she is delighted to just “pay it forward.”
