Close Menu

    Subscribe To The Newsletter

    Want to get notified whenever new content is posted? Sign up now to our newsletter.

    What's Hot

    PBO Trojans Gain Valuable Experience in Competitive Doubleheader Against Las Vegas Tigers

    July 10, 2025

    Pahrump’s Fourth of July Parade Celebrates Patriotism, Community, and Summer Fun

    July 10, 2025

    Annual Christmas in July Craft Fair Returns to Pahrump with Two Days of Indoor Fun, Shopping, and Giving Back

    July 10, 2025
    Facebook Instagram
    Facebook Instagram
    Pahrump Valley Community NewsPahrump Valley Community News
    Donate
    • Home
    • Sports
      1. Fall
      2. Winter
      3. Spring
      4. Club
      5. Misc
      6. View All

      Meet the Coach: Girls Golf Info Session at Mountain Falls Clubhouse June 13

      June 5, 2025

      Support the PVHS Trojans Volleyball Team at Upcoming Fundraiser

      May 15, 2025

      Pahrump Valley High School Athletes Shine with All-League and All-State Honors in Fall Sports

      December 26, 2024

      Pahrump Valley High School Tennis Team Seeks Community Support for Raffle Fundraiser

      November 21, 2024

      Sharks Close Out Home Season with Strong Second Half Against Amargosa

      February 20, 2025

      RCMS Boys A Team Sharks Dominate Last Home Game Against Amargosa

      February 20, 2025

      Three Trojans Medal at State Wrestling Tournament

      February 13, 2025

      Trojans Wrap Up Season with Strong Effort Against Boulder City

      February 13, 2025

      Pahrump Valley Little League 10s Show Heart and Hustle in All-Star Tournament

      July 3, 2025

      Pahrump Valley Little League Battles Hard in All-Star Tournament

      July 3, 2025

      Pahrump Valley Juniors Take Third Place in District All-Star Tournament

      June 26, 2025

      Pahrump Valley Little League Juniors Start All-Star Tournament with Two Big Wins

      June 19, 2025

      PBO Trojans Gain Valuable Experience in Competitive Doubleheader Against Las Vegas Tigers

      July 10, 2025

      Pahrump Valley Mountain Biking Club Tackles Rugged Trails at Kingman Cactus Kicker

      April 10, 2025

      Pahrump Youth Sports Opens Registration for Fall 2025 Season

      March 27, 2025

      Pahrump Valley Mountain Biking Club Hosts Bowling Fundraiser & Silent Auction

      March 20, 2025

      Paris Coleman Embraces Growth, Faith, and Opportunity in First Year at Azusa Pacific

      July 10, 2025

      Pahrump Valley Graduate Jalen Denton Shares His Collegiate Baseball Experience

      July 3, 2025

      Makoa Batongbacal’s Road from Pahrump to St. Norbert—And What Comes After Football

      June 26, 2025

      Kyle McDaniel Making His Mark at Utah Tech

      June 19, 2025

      Paris Coleman Embraces Growth, Faith, and Opportunity in First Year at Azusa Pacific

      July 10, 2025

      PBO Trojans Gain Valuable Experience in Competitive Doubleheader Against Las Vegas Tigers

      July 10, 2025

      Pahrump Valley Graduate Jalen Denton Shares His Collegiate Baseball Experience

      July 3, 2025

      Pahrump Valley Little League 10s Show Heart and Hustle in All-Star Tournament

      July 3, 2025
    • Schools
      • General
      • NCSD Office
      • Senior Spotlight
      • Senior Spotlight Submissions
    • Community
    • Business
    • Alumni
    • Columns
    • About
      • Editor
      • Events
      • Get In Touch
      • Donate Now
    Facebook Instagram
    Donate
    Pahrump Valley Community NewsPahrump Valley Community News
    Home»Community»“No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town!”: Sleep in Heavenly Peace Transforms Lives in Nye County
    Community

    “No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town!”: Sleep in Heavenly Peace Transforms Lives in Nye County

    By Amy VelozDecember 5, 2024No Comments5 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link

    In Pahrump, one organization has been quietly making a big difference for children in need—ensuring that no child sleeps on the floor. Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit with over 300 chapters across the United States, has been operating locally for six years under the leadership of Carmen Murzyn, the Nye County Chapter President. Since its establishment in Pahrump, the chapter has delivered close to 500 beds to children in the community, a milestone Carmen hopes to surpass by the end of the year. “Our motto is simple: no kid sleeps on the floor in our town,” Carmen explains. Her husband, Jim, serves as the chapter’s build manager, while dedicated volunteer Steve oversees bed deliveries. Together, they form a tight-knit team devoted to bringing comfort and dignity to children who might otherwise go without.

    The Pahrump chapter’s origins trace back to Gary Bennett, who started the local effort but eventually passed the reins to Carmen. She became involved with SHP while competing in the Miss Senior Golden Years pageant, choosing it as her platform. At the time, she was seeking a way to make a tangible impact on her community and felt drawn to SHP’s mission. “I wanted to make a difference,” Carmen recalls. “When I was homeless once, I saw firsthand what it’s like not to have stability. This work allows me to give back in a way that’s deeply personal.” After a year of training, Carmen officially took over the chapter and has been its driving force ever since.

    The need for beds in Nye County is significant, particularly in this rural community where economic challenges are prevalent. Carmen shares that many of their recipients include grandparents raising grandchildren, foster parents, or families dealing with unexpected hardships like divorce or financial instability. The chapter provides a complete bed setup, including the frame, mattress, sheets, and a blanket or quilt. The organization’s focus on quality and completeness ensures that children receive not just a bed, but a sense of security and belonging. “When we leave, the kids can crawl in and go to sleep,” Carmen says, emphasizing the impact of giving children a space of their own.

    Each bed is handmade by volunteers following a simple yet sturdy design. The chapter holds community bed-building events to ensure they have beds ready for delivery. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome, and the events often serve as an introduction to the organization’s mission. “We don’t require any experience—just a willingness to help,” Carmen explains. In addition to bed-building, volunteers assist with organizing supplies, maintaining the workshop, and planning events. Carmen believes these efforts not only generate beds but also foster community spirit, showing people how they can make a difference in their neighbors’ lives.

    The chapter relies entirely on donations and fundraising to sustain its efforts. Their annual fundraiser, a pasta buffet at Saddlewest, is a highlight of the year. Complete with live and silent auctions, entertainment, and even a skit, the event provides critical financial support for purchasing materials like wood and mattresses. Carmen and her team also hold smaller fundraisers throughout the year and work hard to spread the word about SHP’s mission. “I try to get out to as many events as possible, set up a booth, and let people know we’re here,” Carmen says. “Not everyone reads the newspaper or has access to the internet, so word of mouth is incredibly important.”

    Operating in a rural area brings its own challenges. Pahrump’s chapter serves not only the town but also remote areas like Amargosa and potentially Tonopah. Carmen is exploring the possibility of establishing “hubs” in outlying communities to streamline bed deliveries. She’s in talks with local organizations, including fire departments, to create storage and distribution centers that would reduce travel time and logistical hurdles. “Traveling long distances is tough, but with local partners, we could serve more kids without the logistical challenges,” she explains.

    Weather also plays a role in their work. The chapter’s workshop, located in a barn, lacks climate control, making summer heat and winter cold difficult for volunteers. Despite these conditions, Carmen and her team persist, driven by their commitment to ensuring every child has a bed. To prepare for these challenges, they often pre-build beds to maintain a stockpile, ensuring that deliveries can continue even when weather conditions are less than ideal.

    Collaboration with local organizations has been key to SHP’s success in Nye County. The chapter works closely with schools, social workers, and foster care networks to identify families in need. School principals often refer students, and SHP has also partnered with the Coalition and the probation department to secure funding for materials. These partnerships not only expand the organization’s reach but also strengthen its ties to the community.

    For Carmen, the work of Sleep in Heavenly Peace is more than just a community service—it’s a calling. Her personal experiences have shaped her understanding of the importance of stability and comfort for children. “When I see the joy on their faces, it makes all the effort worthwhile,” she shares. Carmen’s long-term goal is simple: to ensure that every child in Nye County who needs a bed has one. Through her dedication and the support of volunteers and donors, she is making that goal a reality—one bed at a time.

    501c3 children community community service Featured nonprofit
    Share. Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link
    Amy Veloz

    Related Posts

    Axe Exterminators: A Family Legacy of Pest Control and Personalized Service in Pahrump

    July 10, 2025

    Paris Coleman Embraces Growth, Faith, and Opportunity in First Year at Azusa Pacific

    July 10, 2025

    Annual Christmas in July Craft Fair Returns to Pahrump with Two Days of Indoor Fun, Shopping, and Giving Back

    July 10, 2025
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    Featured

    Axe Exterminators: A Family Legacy of Pest Control and Personalized Service in Pahrump

    July 10, 2025

    Paris Coleman Embraces Growth, Faith, and Opportunity in First Year at Azusa Pacific

    July 10, 2025

    Annual Christmas in July Craft Fair Returns to Pahrump with Two Days of Indoor Fun, Shopping, and Giving Back

    July 10, 2025

    Pahrump’s Fourth of July Parade Celebrates Patriotism, Community, and Summer Fun

    July 10, 2025
    Don't Miss

    Mama’s Musings: A Better Hush Little Baby

    Columns March 27, 2025

    Unpopular opinion: I’m not super fond of the original “Hush Little Baby” lullaby. It’s ok,…

    Lady Trojans JV Close Season with Hard-Fought Victory Over SLAM

    February 13, 2025

    Trojans Deliver Strong Performances at Durango Mid-Week Meet

    April 3, 2025

    Trojans Soar Past Boulder City Eagles 55-20 in Regular Season Finale

    October 31, 2024
    Recent Comments
    • Lenore on Community Asked to Help Hafen Teacher and Local Mom in Fight Against Rare Cancer
    • Sara Porter on Community Asked to Help Hafen Teacher and Local Mom in Fight Against Rare Cancer
    • Don Zurfluh on Pahrump Valley Graduate Jalen Denton Shares His Collegiate Baseball Experience
    • Bill Berend on New Transportation Program Launches to Improve Health Care Access in Rural Nevada
    • Larissa on Black Cow Coffee House Brews Community and Creativity in the Heart of Pahrump
    About Us
    About Us

    Your source for the top stories in Pahrump, Nevada!

    Owned and Operated by Amy Veloz

    Our Picks

    Axe Exterminators: A Family Legacy of Pest Control and Personalized Service in Pahrump

    July 10, 2025

    Paris Coleman Embraces Growth, Faith, and Opportunity in First Year at Azusa Pacific

    July 10, 2025

    Annual Christmas in July Craft Fair Returns to Pahrump with Two Days of Indoor Fun, Shopping, and Giving Back

    July 10, 2025
    Subscribe to the Newsletter

    Want to get notified whenever new content is posted? Sign up now to our newsletter.

    Facebook Instagram
    • Home
    • Sports
    • Community
    • Schools
    • Alumni
    • Business
    • Columns
    © 2025 Pahrump Valley Community News. Designed by Vectyr.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.