Wake Forest Athletes and W-S Fire Department Team Up to Build 28 Beds for Local Children in Need

Twenty-eight local children without beds of their own are set to receive one after 55 Wake Forest University student-athletes and coaches joined the Winston-Salem Fire Department and the nonprofit A Bed and A Book to build the beds.

"Together, 55 student-athletes and coaches came together to build 28 beds for children who deserve a safe, comfortable place to sleep," A Bed and A Book said.

A Bed and A Book is a Winston-Salem nonprofit that provides clean, comfortable beds and age-appropriate books to children ages 0–18 from families in need at no cost. The organization works through referring agencies and community partners to identify children who would benefit most, delivering a bed package that typically includes a twin bed, mattress, bedding, pillows and books.

"We are also incredibly grateful to the Winston-Salem Fire Department for continuing to help us serve our community," A Bed and A Book said. "Your ongoing partnership, dedication, and willingness to volunteer make it possible for us to reach even more children and families in need," A Bed and A Book said.

The fire department's community volunteer partnerships typically center on public education, neighborhood outreach and safety initiatives, including fire safety education, CPR instruction, child seat checks, smoke alarm installation and the Citizen Fire Academy. Bed-building for children in poverty represents a departure from that typical public safety work, extending into basic child welfare.

Wake Forest Athletics frames its community service around the university motto Pro Humanitate. Its service partnerships have included A Bed and A Book, Second Harvest Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Potter's House, Samaritan Ministries and Winston-Salem Rescue Mission.

In Forsyth County, 21.2 percent of children live in poverty. In Winston-Salem specifically, 17.9 percent of residents live below the poverty line. The 28 beds represent a concrete but modest response to that need — placing responsibility for addressing children's basic housing gaps on nonprofit organizations and volunteer labor from university students and city emergency responders rather than public welfare systems.

A Bed and A Book recently distributed its 1,000th bed to a child in need, and the City of Winston-Salem declared June 15, 2026, A Bed and A Book Day. "Because of your compassion, teamwork, and generosity, 28 children are one step closer to having a bed of their own," A Bed and A Book said.

The nonprofit will deliver the 28 beds to Winston-Salem children identified through its network of referring agencies. To volunteer or donate, contact [email protected] or 336-422-4746. Volunteer roles include bed deliveries, bed builds, quality control and staging duties.