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Members of the Kentucky State University campus community recently participated with the Franklin County community-at-large through the Make and Take a Bed initiative.

Irma Johnson, coordinator of the regional stewardship and community engagement program at Kentucky State, servers as the volunteer coordinator for Franklin County Habitat for Humanity and led the Make and Take a Bed community service project.

“The Resource Center counselors at the local school districts reported having several students who were currently sleeping on pallets on the floor or on a sofa,” Johnson said. “We found a distributor to donate 30 new XL twin bed frames for our project.”

Johnson said Sealy Tempur-Pedic and M.J. American donated 30 mattresses each for the bed frames. Community members donated comforters, blankets and pillows for the project.

The regional stewardship office signed up 13 Kentucky State students, as well as six players from the Kentucky State baseball team.

“This is our second time being involved with a Habitat project,” baseball head coach Rob Henry said. “Last year, we worked on a house in Lexington for a family in need. I am hoping we will be involved with a spring building project. I will also be serving as a newly appointed board member for the local Habitat for Humanity.”

Henry said the baseball team tries to stay involved with the local community through Habitat and the Bluegrass Miracle League.

Students were joined by volunteers from the City of Frankfort, Chamber of Commerce, Frankfort Kiwanis, Frankfort City Commission, Century 21 Simpson & Associates, Will Crumbaugh Properties and many others for a total of 40 volunteers.

“It was a successful community service project,” Johnson said. “By 12:30 p.m., more than 53 beds, mattresses and/or bedding was delivered in the Frankfort community.”