Church of the Redeemer volunteers work together to build beds for kids in need

By Ian Swaby
| 9:30 a.m. March 1, 2026

Magnolia Riner, 10, displays a design she created.

Sarasota
Neighbors

As members gathered at Church of the Redeemer on Feb. 28, age wasn't an obstacle when it came to working with one's hands.

Members young and old helped to sand, drill and decorate with Bible verses 30 beds for children in need.

"Everybody's willing to do anything," said Jason Kubisiak, who leads the initiative each year with his son Gavin Kubisiak, 17. "We had little kids cutting wood. We had older people sanding it. No egos here. It's awesome. It's a great place to work."

The initiative is now in its fifth year, having given away a total of 130 beds. Since last year, it has also had some additional support within the church thanks to the church's Quilts of Comfort ministry.

The ministry was formed by Janet Gallagher and Gail Landry in 2025, using fabrics left behind by Landry's late mother Pattie Clendenin, a longtime member of the church. In its first year, it created 44 quilts.

“These quilts will last for years and years, and it's something that the child can take with them and have, and it's very personalized," Gallagher said, noting children can choose which ones to take home.

Twenty-six of the 30 beds were given to families at Alta Vista Elementary School, with which the church partners throughout the year, while four went to The Azinger Family Compassion Center in Palmetto.

McLean Gaddy, 12, works with Kathy Hynes.

Patrick McGeehan, Gavin Kubisiak, 17 and Marty Faust work on sanding the boards.

Lavonne Shedivy sands a series of boards.

Rhodes Riner, 8, receives help with zip ties from Jonathan Laronge.

Allie Selvog, 8, carries a finished piece to add it to the ones to be distributed.

Janet Gallagher, Mary Jane Hartenstine, Lavonne Shedivy and Kathy Hynes were among those who knitted the quilts for the beds.

Magnolia Riner, 10 and Walker Gaddy, 14, set down pieces they have finished decorating and inscribing with Bible verses.

Finished components of the bed are stacked, ready for distribution.

Claire Bragg, 11, learns from Bill Brush about using the drill.

Boards with Bible verses and designs added by the kids are stacked for distribution.

Gavin Kubisiak, 17, adds a finished piece to a stack.

Rhodes Riner, 8, ties a stack of boards together.

Correction: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Allie Selvog.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.