![\"Trisha](\"http:\/\/webapp2.wright.edu\/web1\/newsroom\/files\/2015\/09\/trisha-baxter-16084_058.jpg\")
<\/a>Wright State alumna and teacher Trisha Baxter runs Snuggled Up, a nonprofit organization that provides beds for local children. (Photos by Erin Pence)<\/p><\/div>\n
Five years ago, she started Snuggled Up Inc., a nonprofit organization that gives children a \u201csoft place to dream.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ryan Black, budget manager to the associate provost and a friend of Baxter’s, said, \u201cWhen teachers see a student not performing well, they might jump to the conclusion that a student may have a disability rather than consider a lack of sleep. A lot of people don\u2019t realize how many kids are without beds.”<\/p>\n
If parents grew up sleeping on the floor, their children often will grow up doing the same, Baxter said. She also said some students act up the last few weeks before school lets out. \u201cThey don\u2019t realize why, but it\u2019s because they don\u2019t want to go home,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Baxter considered how she could help her students. She came up with the idea of distributing Snuggle Kits: a quality cot, mattress, twin size sheet, blanket and pillow, costing $110 per kit. Babies are provided with a separate kit.<\/p>\n
All kits are purchased from financial donations and fundraisers. Donations of newly purchased items are accepted.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne little girl said, \u2018I had my first dream last night,\u2019\u201d Baxter said. \u201cNow imagine never having a dream because you\u2019re up all night because you\u2019re cold. To me that was powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said kids have told her they didn\u2019t know they could have a bed. Providing beds to students is one way to show her students they are loveable.<\/p>\n
After teaching for 15 years, Baxter has gained a different perspective of students.<\/p>\n
While attending Wright State as a teaching major<\/a>, Baxter recalled, \u201cWe\u2019re taught to be a teacher and teach the child, that\u2019s my role. With that philosophy, I went into the teaching world and I truly believed that. But I\u2019ve changed my philosophy. … My job is to love these kids and then they can learn.”<\/p>\n While at Wright State she learned that it\u2019s \u201cnot just teaching from the book every day, but getting to know that child. … Wright State did a good job with that. It really hit me,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd whatever greater power you believe in, I believe I was led to my school for a reason. I was led here to do this. So Wright State is what uplifted me to do better.\u201d<\/p>\n Baxter tells her students that she loves them every day.<\/p>\n Snuggled Up Inc. is comprised of full-time school employees and parents who serve as volunteers.<\/p>\n Volunteers include Tara Tarziers, secretary of Snuggled Up; Kelly Gartz, inventory manager; Debbie Neal, who writes thank-you cards to donors; Jenny Kosins, who manages kit requests and coordinates between families and the organization.<\/p>\n Trisha Baxter and Snuggled Up volunteers, including youth football players, recently distributed beds to children in need.<\/p><\/div>\n They prepare Snuggle Kits for the families to pick up on distribution days.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the kids get the beds \u2014 the smiles, the parents thanking me \u2014 that\u2019s what it\u2019s all about,\u201d said Neal.<\/p>\n Baxter\u2019s organization had distributed almost 1,000 kits and has 300 families on a waiting list.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s wonderful. I think what she does is great. It gives kids hope,\u201d said one teary-eyed parent whose son received a Snuggle Kit. \u201cIt\u2019s good for my son. He will be starting preschool this year. He\u2019ll be able to sleep all night and get up for school in the morning and not be so angry.\u201d<\/p>\n Every year, Baxter has her students draw a picture of their bedroom, including all of their furniture. She said some children may just draw a rug, and then she knows.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people don\u2019t think to ask children, \u2018where do you sleep,\u2019 but I do,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n For Snuggle Kit requests, donations or more information, visit\u00a0snuggledupinc.com<\/a> or email snuggledupinc@gmail.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Wright State alumna and teacher Trisha Baxter runs Snuggled Up, a nonprofit organization that provides beds for local children. Continue reading <\/a>