From Sawdust to Sweet Dreams

At Cottonwood Millwork, Cabinets + Metalwork, we build custom cabinetry for some of the most beautiful homes in the West. But in December, we had the opportunity to build something even more meaningful: beds for kids who don’t have one.

When we began planning a company-wide Service Day, we reached out to several nonprofits hoping to partner. Some couldn’t accommodate a team of 67. Others simply didn’t respond.

Then Sleep in Heavenly Peace called us back.

Not only did they respond—they partnered with us.

The Sleep in Heavenly Peace Salt Lake City Chapter, led by Laura Potts + Andrew Heaton, didn’t just hand us a checklist. They partnered with us in mid-December, working closely alongside our team to bring this Service Day to life.

And we got to work.

We cut.
We drilled.
We sanded.
We stained.
We branded each bed with the SHP logo.
We built.

We also got very dirty. By the end of it, there was sawdust in places we’re still discovering—but no one cared. Because we weren’t just building furniture. We were building beds for kids who deserve a safe, comfortable place to sleep.

If you’re not familiar with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, their mission is simple and powerful: No kid sleeps on the floor in our town. They build and deliver beds to children who would otherwise go without.

As a manufacturing company, we realized something that day:
We already have the skills.
We already have the equipment.
We already have the passion.

We just needed the partnership.

There was something incredibly meaningful about seeing our entire team—designers, engineers, project managers, craftsmen + installers—step away from their daily roles and work together for a cause that directly impacts families in our own community.

It changed the energy in the building.

Our employees were kind. Focused. Proud. Many shared how much they appreciated the chance to use their hands and hearts in a different way. To extend love through lumber. To transform raw materials into something that would bring peace to a child’s night.

And the story didn’t end in December....

Just last weekend, members of our team had the privilege of helping deliver beds to some very deserving kids. Watching a child climb into their own bed for the first time—smiling, shy, excited—is something you don’t forget.

Laura Potts + Andrew Heaton are extraordinary leaders. Their coordination is exceptional. Their communication is clear. Their heart is contagious. Being in their orbit makes you want to do more, give more, build more. Their living legacy is changing families’ lives across Salt Lake City—one bed at a time.

Moving forward, Cottonwood is proud to serve as an extension of the SHP Salt Lake City Chapter. We are committed to using our skills, talent, equipment and connections to help expand their impact—so volunteers can build more beds and more kids can sleep safely.

This experience reminded us of something important:

Community impact doesn’t always require reinventing yourself.
Sometimes it simply requires redirecting what you already do well.

We build.
So...we built.

If you’re reading this, consider this your gentle challenge:

Find a way to give back that aligns with your strengths.
Find a connection that stretches your heart.
Find a way to expand your love beyond your walls.

Whether you’re in manufacturing, finance, healthcare, education, hospitality, or any number of industries—you have something that can serve your community. The impact doesn’t have to be flashy. It just has to be intentional.

At Cottonwood, we believe craftsmanship can elevate spaces.
Now we know it can also help children sleep peacefully.

And that might be the most meaningful thing we build all year.

Give back + sleep well,

Kari Kovar

President + CEO

‍