BROOKINGS — Hitch Studio, started on Feb.6, 2014, has been serving Brookings’ engaged couples and organizations with its wedding planning and event decorating business for 10 years. Owner and CEO, Renee Bauman, decided the best way to celebrate this milestone date was to give back to the community that has supported her all these years.

Bauman approached Sleep In Heavenly Peace, an organization whose mission is to build and deliver beds to children and families in need. They believe that all children deserve a safe, comfortable place to lay their heads and their driving mission is: “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town.”

Bauman wholeheartedly agrees.

“When I saw the Sleep in Heavenly Peace project set up at my church, I knew that’s how I wanted to celebrate 10 years in business — with a community service project that impacts the children of Brookings. Our goal was to build 10 beds in honor of 10 years. It turns out, we had enough volunteers and funding to build 15 beds in one evening! That really warms my heart. That’s what being a part of this community is really about — giving back,” states Bauman.

Dave Miller leads the effort of the Brookings Chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace. He noted that after Hitch Studio builds these 15 beds, 10 of them have already been requested right here in our community of Brookings.

“We’ve helped build over 2,300 beds in 5 1/2 years. These beds get delivered statewide, but mostly to a 40-mile radius of Brookings. You’d be surprised at the number that are needed right here in Brookings. These are not kids who are upgrading their bed — they are kids who don’t have a bed at all,” says Miller.

Miller adds, “You never know what seeds are planted when you deliver a child a place to sleep.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 35% of businesses make it to the 10-year mark. Bauman doesn’t take that statistic lightly and is so thankful to have been supported by the Brookings community for a decade. She was joined by 20 of her Hitch employees and their significant others during the build.

“Hitch Studio has the absolute best team and I can’t thank them enough. I certainly couldn’t run this business — or have done this volunteer effort — without them. I’m a strong believer in giving back with our time, talent, and treasure, but this effort is by far the most impactful,”, says Bauman.

To schedule a build, request a bed, or donate to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, visit shpbeds.org and find the Brookings chapter.

To learn more about Hitch Studio’s wedding planning and decorating business, visit hitchstudio.com.