Guest Commentary - Guardian ad Litem Foundation to honor Bedz for Kidz

Posted 10/25/20

Tonight across Southwest Florida, hundreds of children will crawl into their cozy beds, pull up the covers and sleep comfortably, all thanks to one woman.

Since 2001, Cynthia Shafer and the Bedz …

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Guest Commentary - Guardian ad Litem Foundation to honor Bedz for Kidz

Posted

Tonight across Southwest Florida, hundreds of children will crawl into their cozy beds, pull up the covers and sleep comfortably, all thanks to one woman.

Since 2001, Cynthia Shafer and the Bedz for Kidz program she founded has provided nearly 3,000 beds to children in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties. The bed represents more than just a place to sleep for these children; it represents a place of their own, a sense of comfort as they navigate an incredibly trying, emotional time.

Bedz for Kidz serves youth who are in the child welfare system after being abused, neglected or abandoned by their parents. Before the courts can assign children to a relative, foster parent or guardian, state law requires that they have a bed of their own. Cynthia doesn’t want to see siblings split apart during the legal process, so the only way to keep brothers and sisters together during the tumultuous time is to ensure they’re assigned to a family willing to take multiple children, and that family must have an extra bed for each new addition.

For two decades, Cynthia has been providing bed frames, mattresses, linens, blankets, pillows and stuffed toys, as well as dressers, lamps and end tables. She pounds the pavement asking for monetary and material donations, and writes her own grant applications. She negotiates discounts from local retailers to increase her buying power. She’s turned portions of her home into Bedz for Kidz’ supply rooms. She and her husband, John, give up their weekends to deliver and assemble beds from Marco Island to Port Charlotte, and Cape Coral to Clewiston, and all points between. And she’s done it all while still working as a successful Realtor with Lahaina Realty, Inc. and volunteering with Guardian ad Litem as a child advocate.

During Guardian ad Litem Foundation’s inaugural Voices of Hope Gala on Nov. 12, Cynthia will be recognized at the virtual event as the 2020 H.O.P.E. Award recipient. The award stands for Helping Other People Excel, which is exactly what Cynthia has been doing nonstop for the past 26 years as a dedicated volunteer child advocate.

Voices of Hope’s virtual attendees will hear incredible stories about how Guardian ad Litem’s volunteer child advocates have impacted the lives of local children. Cynthia will be among those sharing her stories. Guests are encouraged to host “watch parties” and invite friends and family members into their homes to enjoy the livestreaming event.

For supporters in Southwest Florida, Voices of Hope Gala tickets are $100 per person and include a chef-prepared dinner, wine, special gifts, an entry into a drawing for a special prize and opportunities to bid during the live auction and participate in the Fund-a-Need appeal. Supporters living outside of Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties can pre-register to receive a link that allows them to tune into the livestream free of charge and still have opportunities to participate in the live auction and Fund-a-Need.

Guardian ad Litem’s volunteer child advocates are certified by the courts and serve as the “voice” for abused, neglected and abandoned youth as they navigate the judicial, education and child welfare systems. Proceeds from the Voices of Hope Gala will help the Foundation recruit, train and support child advocates, as well as supplement programs that serve area youth. In addition to Bedz for Kidz, the Foundation also sponsors a Children’s Needs Program that pays for “extras” like tutoring, school field trips, movie tickets, birthday parties and participation in clubs and sports.

Ticket and sponsorship opportunities can be reserved by visiting VoicesForKids.org/event/Voices-of-Hope or calling 239-533-1435.

About the Author
Jessica Stanfield is executive director of the Guardian ad Litem Foundation.

bedz for kidz, cynthia shafer, virtual, live auction

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