At Inszone Insurance Services, we believe that true success is measured not only by professional achievements but also by the positive impact we make in our communities. One shining example of this commitment is Janell Julander, a Senior Benefits Account Manager at our Bend, OR office. Janell’s unwavering dedication to volunteerism and community service embodies the core values we hold dear.
Janell has been a valued member of the Inszone team since [Year of Joining], bringing enthusiasm and a strong work ethic to her role. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Janell has devoted herself to making a difference through her involvement with Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), a 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization dedicated to ending child bedlessness.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace operates under a powerful mission: “No kid sleeps on the floor in our town!” SHP believes that a bed is a basic necessity for the proper physical, emotional, and mental support that a child needs. Recognizing that the need for beds extends far beyond individual neighborhoods, SHP has grown into a national organization addressing a nationwide problem. The organization thrives because of passionate volunteers like Janell, who build bunks, deliver beds, advocate for the mission, and help establish new chapters in underserved communities.
One of SHP’s most significant initiatives is Bunks Across America (BAA), an annual event where local chapters across the nation participate in the largest bed-building effort in a single day. On Saturday, September 14, 2024, SHP aimed to build over 8,000 beds with the help of up to 15,000 volunteers. During the 2020 event, 118 SHP chapters joined forces with over 6,200 volunteers to build 4,600 beds, making a substantial impact on the national child bedlessness crisis.
Janell’s involvement with SHP and the Bunks Across America event is nothing short of inspiring. Her commitment began on the Friday before the event, where she helped set up the office to welcome volunteers. She arranged a selfie station featuring actual beds delivered to children each month, set up tables and chairs for volunteers, and assisted in cutting and stacking the vast amounts of wood needed to build 125 beds.
On the day of the bed build, Janell arrived early to ensure everything was ready for the community volunteers who came to help. Serving as a key organizer, she managed volunteer check-ins, directed them to the personal protective equipment station, and facilitated their engagement in various tasks like sanding, drilling, staining, and branding the beds. Janell also coordinated refreshments, ensuring beverages were iced and snacks were available, and set up food tables for lunch. She moved between stations, addressing questions and guiding volunteers, and managed the intake of twin blanket and sheet donations brought by participants.
Janell’s passion for SHP is deeply personal. She began volunteering with the organization five years ago, inspired by her older brothers’ involvement with SHP chapters in Texas. As a mother herself, the thought of children sleeping on the floor resonated with her, motivating her to take action. Recently, Janell stepped up to take on a more significant role as the Administrative Assistant to the Chapter President, allowing her to contribute even more to the cause.
She values the family-friendly nature of SHP’s volunteer opportunities, often bringing her own children to participate in bed builds. “This was an organization I could easily get on board with as my children were little at the time I started going to bed builds, and I couldn’t imagine them sleeping on the floor,” Janell shared. “Now that they are older, they come with me to the bed builds as there are several stations available for people of all ages to participate.”
Janell finds fulfillment in tasks like sanding, drilling, and staining, knowing that each bed assembled brings a child comfort and security. She emphasizes that SHP provides not just beds but also mattresses, sheets, blankets, and pillows—all through the generous donations of supplies, money, and time from the community. “Receiving donations of supplies, money, or time is so important to this organization. You won’t regret volunteering!”
Janell’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have. She challenges everyone to find their local SHP chapter and participate in at least one bed build in the coming year. “I challenge everyone to find their local chapter and go to at least one bed build in the next year,” she encourages.
At Inszone Insurance Services, we are proud of Janell’s dedication and the example she sets for us all. Her commitment to SHP and her community reflects the very essence of our company’s values—serving others and making a positive difference in the world.
Juan Cruz
