Valentines Winner

By dianahellismedia • February 18, 2024
Annual Valentine's Day Mattress Winner! We delivered Bailey's brand-new Immunity Queen Size Mattress Set valued at $2,999. She was the lucky winner of our annual Valentine's Day giveaway. "I'm very grateful that they can do this yearly," said Bailey. "It gives people a chance to do something for themselves. Like most parents, I put things on the back-burner if it doesn't involve my kids." Winning the mattress was just what she needed. The past few years have been challenging. "In late 2022, I left a really bad relationship. The majority of my belongings were tossed out or destroyed." Due to a work-related injury, Bailey's been out of work for over a year. After three surgeries, the doctors are unsure if she can return to her position as a medical assistant. "When I saw 16 Cents' Facebook post about the contest, I thought it could be an amazing opportunity to get a new bed," said Bailey. "I needed one but didn't have the funds for it. All our extra money goes straight to the kids." Bailey has been sleeping on an old mattress purchased several years ago and is looking forward to sleeping on the new one. "It was hard to believe we won until 16 Cents messaged me," said Bailey. "I'm looking forward to having a new mattress, let alone a whole new set. It's really special. I feel like this is going to be our year."
Sometimes, the simplest things can make all the difference and change a life. Just ask Transitions Board Member Sheila Leslie. She heard the call for 16 new mattresses at the Transitional Living Center and answered. Tuesday, the 16 cents, 3 Shoes & 5 Socks delivery truck arrived loaded with new mattresses for the center’s 16 independent apartments.

“We can be part of the solution or part of the problem,” said Sheila. “Any way we can help women to be self-sufficient is part of the solution.”


“Having all brand-new mattresses is huge and something we've never done before,” said Transitions Development Director Jessica Burke. She remembers Sheila’s reaction during a board meeting when she first heard talk of new mattresses. “She said, I will buy them. All of them,” said Jessica.


Both know how critical a fresh start can be. The Transitional Living Center welcomes women and children. The independent living apartments are a safe place for women escaping domestic violence, exiting drug or alcohol treatment, or searching to find a way out of homelessness.


 “You do not see women who are homeless as often. But it does not mean they are not there. It just means they are hiding, sleeping in their cars, or couch surfing,” explained Jessica. 


Both Jessica and Sheila believe in fresh starts. They understand too well how many women caught in transition need to feel safe, valued, and on the path to self-sufficiency.  “The mission of Transitions is to welcome someone in a clean environment where they feel safe,” said Sheila. “Part of feeling safe is feeling healthy. So, having a new, clean mattress in a good, safe environment gives them a good foundation to solve whatever led them to Transitions in the first place."


Thank you, Sheila, for your compassion in supporting women in transition.