About three years ago, Niki Mock, founder of the nonprofit Furnishhopedca message posted on Nextdoor explains that she is looking for a lightly used bunk bed for a low-income family in Washington, D.C., that doesn’t have enough beds, meaning the family sleeps on the floor. She recalled the response she received: “‘I’ll buy one.'”
The message has the simplicity of CEO style, as it comes from a: Julie Sweet, CEO of consulting firm Accenture. Sweet spent her days advising some of the world’s most influential company leaders and running a company with over 770,000 employees. Over many days, she also spent time going to Furnishhopedc, a community organization that provides new and gentle household supplies for families living in Ward 7 and Ward 8 in DC.
Since its launch five years ago, Furnishhopedc has been equipped with more than 900 homes. Over the past three years, Sweet has been responsible for more than half of the homes the organization serves. She donated at least 10 double beds, including mattresses and frames, to charities every month, and purchased more than 400 bedding bags, each priced at over $200. These bags have duvets or bed covers, covers, sheets, pillow covers, pillows, squeeze beds (for children’s beds) and toss. Sweet also donates new, high-end beauty products, toys, kitchen boilers and pots, but most of her energy falls into bedding. “I swear, she gave us a higher sheet than the one I slept with.”
Photos of Mackenzie Stroh
Sweet’s attention to bedding is not random, nor is it just a reflection of her personal obsession. Her CEO, who grew up in a working-class family in California, saw bedding and having a good night’s sleep was “critical for adults and kids to succeed,” wealth. A cute, seductive bed gives people a “sanitation every day,” she said.
“(o)These families live in narrow dormitories and the only place they can call themselves is the bed,” Sweet explained in an email. “Having a high-quality bed can make them sleep better, which is very important for being healthy and being able to have a positive mindset and strength to do the hard things they have to do.”
The sleep gap is real
Sleep has become a market in the past few years Worth tens of billions of dollars Globally, it includes high-tech mattresses, data-filled wearables, sleep apnea devices and more. A percentage point person Busy in optimization Their diet and lifestyle aspects to achieve more or ever-living eyes are all happy to squander large sleep. With the CEO bragging for four hours of REM, they are now entering the trend of Gen Z “Sleep – Mexico.”
However, studies show that not having enough sleep is a bigger problem The money-making person Living in low-income neighborhoods, not stressed white-collar workers and executives. Some people call it the reason “Big Sleep Difference” Both diverse and complex, but research shows that the culprits include stress, unemployment or working multiple jobs. Living in crowded environments can also play a role in areas with high light and noise pollution and less green space.
The study verified the link between cognitive function and good sleep habits. If your sleep is extremely lost, your brain and someone’s function Who is drunkthis is not very good for a person’s work or school performance. It’s OK to sleep too little The mood of a tank alone and motivation. Good sleep habits are relevant in the long run Healthy agingNow, poor sleep is seen as a risk factor for chronic diseases such as heart disease, for middle-aged adults, Dementia.
Meanwhile, the high cost of buying multiple beds and bedding can be a barrier to home equipping, especially for those homeless people who laugh at the services of nonprofits. This year, tariffs It seems to be Since the vast majority of bed sheets are made overseas, it is more costly to push bedding.
Better than money
Mock explains that online sweet shops are available for bedding donations and keep an eye out for sale. “When she saw a person, she called and said, ‘How much do you want this?’” Sweet got in touch when President Trump revealed his tariff plan to find out what she should buy before the tariffs raise prices.
The CEO is the only donor to always provide the organization with brand new sheets, and the only print for children with unicorns, cars and rocket ships, as well as lush colors for adults. “I can say she really liked that part, picked different designs and imagined what the kid got,” Mock said. “I don’t know when she had time to do it because every bag is different.”
Even in the time zone where Sweet is traveling, even at 2 or 3 a.m., the nonprofit field of NOTED comes from Sweet’s message.
Mock said she and her partner, Adriane Herbert, sometimes have to explain to people how to use duvets and duvet covers because they haven’t had one before, and she had to convince Sweet to stop including dust, which can make bedbugs, rats and cockroaches too easy to travel.
There is a new bed in each simulation, she takes a picture and sends it to Sweet to show the real person to the receiving end.
“It’s much better than making money,” Mock said. “She puts her time, hard work, obviously money into it, but it’s really her heart and soul.”
