Sweet Dreamzzz, Inc. serves 623 at-risk students in Pontiac

PONTIAC, Mich. - Nov. 23, 2015 - PRLog -- Sweet Dreamzzz, Inc., Reverie, Divine Child High School, The Village Club Foundation, Burberry and Two Men and a Truck, all came together to bring smiles, sweet dreams, and sleep education for a better tomorrow to the 623 K-6 students at WHRC Elementary School in Pontiac. WHRC Elementary School received a Sweet Dreamzzz™ R.E.M. (Rest. Educate. Motivate.) Sleep Education Program last week, that educated the children on what it takes to get a good night’s sleep so they can be rested and ready to learn throughout the day at school.

This particular Sweet Dreamzzz program was a true team effort. The Village Club Foundation sponsored the program with a $5,000 donation. Additionally, Divine Child High School seniors served as sponsors by makingthe fleece blankets for the kindergarten and first grade students at WHRC.

In addition to donating the blankets, the Divine Child seniors also volunteered the day before the program to help set-up. They unloaded the truck full of blankets, sleeping bags and sleep kits, and then helped organize everything inside the gym. Longtime Sweet Dreamzzz partner, Two Men and a Truck, delivered the supplies to WHRC.

Back in July, volunteers from Burberry at Somerset packed all 623 sleep kits Sweet Dreamzzz needed for this program. Finally, Reverie, a Sweet Dreamzzz partner and mattress/adjustable foundation company, volunteered on the day of the program to distribute the sleep kits, sleeping bags, and blankets to the kids.

Reverie employee, Marilyn Cannell, truly enjoyed her experience volunteering with Sweet Dreamzzz.

“Volunteering for Sweet Dreamzzz was an eye opening experience,” Cannell said. “I was naive to the fact that not every child goes to sleep on a bed at night. It was heartbreaking to hear, but helped me realize the impact Sweet Dreamzzz makes on their lives. It made my day to see how excited the kids were to get their sleep kits and to know that they will get a better night’s sleep because of it.”

Mary Pat O’Malley, Divine Child High School Theology teacher and department head,believes in the mission of Sweet Dreamzzz and knows it’s important for her students to see it in action.

“Divine Child began working with Sweet Dreamzzz five years ago. I personally worked with Sweet Dreamzzz in its early stages so I knew from experience how worthwhile the cause was and wanted to bring my students into it,” O’Malley said. “I wanted them to see how important it is and how great this program is. The Sweet Dreamzzz program truly helps break the cycle of poverty because education is the number one factor in breaking that cycle and a good night’s sleep is essential to a good education.”

The Sweet Dreamzzz R.E.M. (Rest. Educate. Motivate.) Sleep Education Program is twofold. It brings warmth and comfort to these children in need in the form of bedtime essentials, and also provides vital information they need to know to ensure a good night’s sleep. This program starts with a 30-minute presentation, educating the children on the importance of sleep and good sleep hygiene habits and ends with every child receiving a sleep kit that includes either a blanket or a sleeping bag, Sweet Dreamzzz t-shirt, reading book by sleep professional, Dr. James B. Maas, and toothbrush and toothpaste.

Sweet Dreamzzz also hosted a Parent Sleep Education Workshop at WHRC to help further reinforce bedtime lessons in the households of these children in need.

Founded in 1998, Sweet Dreamzzz, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to improving children’s health, well-being and academic performance by providing sleep education and bedtime essentials to economically disadvantaged students and their families. Based in Farmington Hills, Mich., Sweet Dreamzzz educates children and families about the benefits of healthy sleep habits and establishing a healthy bedtime routine using its Early Childhood Sleep Education Program™, the Parent Sleep Education Workshop™ and the R.E.M. (Rest. Educate. Motivate.) Sleep Program. Since its founding, Sweet Dreamzzz has served more than 45,000 children and families. For more information on how you can help by volunteering or organizing collections for Sweet Dreamzzz, or to find out about getting one of the sleep programs at your school, call the office at 248-478-3242 or visit www.SweetDreamzzz.org.