JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It's something many people take for granted, but many local children have never had a bed to call their own, simply because their family can't afford it. But on Friday evening, 100 local children got their own bed during a mega sleep-over at the home of the Jaguars.
In the past five years, Ashley Furniture Home Stores have donated 25,000 beds to kids in need.
Many of the recipients were recommended by local child-serving organizations, including Tom Coughlin's Jay Fund, Zane Beadles Foundation, Family Promise, Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity.
Vikkie Grote just finished working to get her new home through the local charity Habijax and said the new beds for her two grandkids she's raising, will come in handy.
"My grandson's been running around getting autographs from everybody, especially the cheerleaders… He's kind of fond of the cheerleaders," said Grote.
A few Jaguars players, Jackson De Ville, The ROAR and even coach Gus Bradley were there to celebrate with the children. The kids were treated to dinner and enjoyed activities, including stadium tours, games, a ROAR dance party and the thrill of watching a movie on the giant stadium video boards.
Saturday morning, Ashley Furniture Homestore will be delivering the beds to the homes of 100 kids.
Erica Williams told News4Jax that she shares a bunk bed with her younger sister but not anymore after this third annual "Hope to Dream" sleepover.
"Sometimes you'll go into homes and they don't necessarily have a place that's their sanctuary, that they can go to and feel safe. And this is an opportunity for us to provide that for them," said Whitney Thomas with Ashley Furniture Homestores.
Last year, Ashley Furniture Homestores even held a sleepover at Wembley Stadium when the Jaguars went to London. Thanks to that successful partnership, several other NFL teams have started their own stadium sleepovers with Ashley Homestores.
"The excitement and energy of the event is almost indescribable," said Howard Fineman, CEO of Ashley Furniture HomeStore, Jacksonville. "Even with all of the activities going on, the main event is the moment these amazing 100 children realize that we are giving them a bed of their own. You just have to watch their faces. It's a life-changing moment and they know it. They will be healthier, happier and have more focus…not only now having a place to sleep, but also a place to dream. We couldn't be prouder that the Jacksonville Jaguars choose to partner with us and that together we continue pay it forward through servant leadership - not only in our hometown of Jacksonville, Florida, but also around the nation."
A portion of the proceeds from every mattress purchase at local Ashley HomeStores benefits local children in need. Families in need of beds for children ages 3-16 should complete nomination forms in any local Ashley HomeStore showroom or online at www.ahopetodream.com