Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyoni LeGrair.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2010, Sleepyhead Beds was born out of a powerful act of community support. Inspired by Monica Starr, who was helping a family navigate the foster care system, we saw how something as simple as a bed could be the barrier to keeping a family together. When Monica reached out, the response was overwhelming—people rallied to donate beds, and that spirit of generosity sparked Sleepyhead Beds. Since then, we’ve provided free, gently used beds, mattresses, and bedding to families in need, ensuring every child has a safe place to sleep. By keeping these items out of landfills and into homes, we’re not just providing comfort—we’re restoring hope and changing lives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall, this has been a really positive growth experience, thanks to strong board members and dedicated leadership, especially from our executive directors guiding our mission. Early on, we faced challenges—like the lack of a formal application system. At first, people would just show up, and we’d hand out mattresses, but that led to misuse—we’d see mattresses we gave away being resold. So, we built a structured system requiring referrals from community leaders or social services and proof of need. Before we set up appointments, we would just announce certain days for the community to come, and the lines would stretch down the block. It was really hard to accommodate everyone efficiently. Now, we have a structured distribution system—people sign up by appointment, so each person has a set time, which makes everything more efficient. Another challenge is our small team—we wear many hats. We also have to stay mindful of what donations we accept. For example, we can’t take king-sized beds due to space limitations, and we have to buy new essentials like pillows and bed rails for safety. Plus, people often rely on their own transport, which can be a hurdle since we only offer pickup for recipients. And while we get generous support, some people unfortunately see us as a dumping ground, so we have to be very vigilant about ensuring every mattress upholds the dignity and safety of the families we serve.
We’ve been impressed with Sleepyhead Beds, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
What you should know about us is our mission: we aim to improve quality of life by providing redistributive, gently used beds to Kansas City-area children and families in need. By sanitizing and repurposing these beds, we not only uplift families but also reduce landfill waste. Since 2010, we’ve distributed over 30,000 mattresses and counting. What sets us apart is that we are the only nonprofit in the Kansas City metro dedicated solely to this cause. Our passion for the community drives us every day—it’s a joy to see the impact we make. And a highlight of our year is our annual fundraiser, Bingo for Beds, coming up on Thursday, November 12, 2026. It’s a fun night of bingo, auction items, and about 300 attendees. Most of our operating funds come from this event, so we invite everyone to stay tuned for ticketing information and join us. Our brand is family-oriented, community-driven—we want every person to leave with a smile. We believe sleep is vital—often overlooked, but for kids and families, it transforms everything—emotionally, academically, and in their daily lives. So, we invite everyone to support—our warehouse is at 5604 Troost Ave, and we welcome donations Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Additionally, people can visit our website at https://sleepyheadbeds.org/ to learn how they can donate and volunteer.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Day-to-day, we rely on a few key apps that are absolutely vital to our operations. First, we use Zoho for all of our customer and donor management. It helps us keep track of all our interactions and appointments. Then, we rely on OptimoRoute, which is crucial for planning our mattress pickup routes efficiently. And for communication, we use Grasshopper—so our community can call, ask questions, and get real-time support—whether they’re a recipient, a donor, or just curious about how to get involved. These tools help us stay organized, streamline communication, and make sure every family gets the support they need, right on time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sleepyheadbeds.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepyheadbeds/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SleepyheadBeds
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sleepyheadbeds
- Twitter: https://x.com/SleepyheadBeds
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sleepyheadbeds7596
- Other: https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-0013c00001tA41FAAS/events/vevt:14951493-ff19-4167-9f0f-5d403a0d1487/home/story
