Fostoria UW and First Call for Help to host bed building event

FOSTORIA — On Saturday, Nov. 7, United Way of Fostoria and First Call for Help are hosting a 'Let's Build Beds' building day. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday at Fostoria Church of the Nazarene, 339 Sandusky St., in Fostoria. According to Executive Director of United Way of Fostoria Libra Tedrow, the event serves the purpose of building beds for children in the community who are in need. On where the idea of building beds in Fostoria came from, Tedrow said, "In April 2023, I went to a [bed] build that Girls Scouts was hosting in the Risingsun area to volunteer. Since then, we have coordinated with Mike Hovath, Co-founder of Let's Build Beds (in the Toledo area). Our first time installing beds in Fostoria was December 2023. "Since then, United Way and First Call for Help have partnered with Let's Build beds with Hope Lutheran Church, Marathon, Individual Donors, Win Waste, Nazarene Church, Higher Ground Church, and Fostoria Kiwanis and others to help us have at least one build per year." Tedrow added that the beds cost approximately $200 each to build. Tedrow says that since Fostoria's first bed build in 2023 around 50-60 beds have been constructed and allotted to families in need. "Unfortunately, we can't have people show up for beds on Saturday because we are working off the waiting list," explained Tedrow. "The waiting list is approximately between 30-40 (kids). We have had almost 50 kids on the list at one time." For locals to register for a bed, and add their name to the waitlist, Tedrow suggests that those interested visit letsbuild.org. From there, users will scroll down on the homepage of the website and click the "Register" icon, where they can put in their information including; contact information, number of beds needed, and the ages of the children who need beds. United Way and First Call for Help are asking for volunteers to help build beds on Saturday, and according to Tedrow, all supplies will be provided and no experience is necessary to volunteer. United Way and First Call for Help are encouraging those interested to bring family and friends to help build beds for children in the community. The event will be outside if weather permits; if not, the bed build will be moved to the pole barn across the alley from Fostoria Church of the Nazarene. Volunteers will be able to park in the church's parking lot on Saturday morning.