HAP supports sleep health for students in Detroit

DETROIT - Oct. 4, 2016 - PRLog -- Sweet Dreamzzz, Inc., Health Alliance Plan (HAP), Divine Child High School, and Two Men and a Truck, came together to bring sleep education and sleep kits to the 190 K-5 students at GEE Edmonson Elementary School in Detroit. GEE Edmonson received a Sweet Dreamzzz™ R.E.M. (Rest. Educate. Motivate.) Sleep Education Program 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.

Divine Child High School students packed the sleep kits for the children. They also volunteered the day before the program unloading 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 GEE Edmonson. HAP donated $3,000 and volunteers to support the program.

"This type of health strategy is at the core of our mission to keep the communities we serve healthy and well. The gift of a good night's rest is a wellness tool that will keep on giving," said Tom Spring, director of wellness and community relations for HAP. "This is a great program that can really change behaviors and help children have better focus throughout the day."

HAP is a Michigan-based, nonprofit health plan that provides health coverage to more than 675,000 members and companies of all sizes. For more than 50 years, HAP has partnered with leading doctors and hospitals, employers and community organizations to enhance the health and well-being of Michigan communities.

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 50,000 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.