Sleep Center, dedicated to helping its customers get a good night's sleep, carries that commitment into the community with charitable donations to worthwhile organizations. Its latest contribution has been to Second Chance, a program devoted to helping women who are coming out of prison or jail, or who have lived a life of abuse. Sleep Center's donation of 22 Spring Air mattress and sheet sets, valued at $10,000, allows Second Chance to provide a quality night's sleep for the women in the program.

Sleep Center, home of the "I Love My Bed!" customer, applies that same concept to its corporate philanthropy efforts: I Love My Community! Sleep Center's founder Ken Cassel describes the company's philosophy, "We believe strongly in giving back to the community that has meant so much to us and our families. It is extremely rewarding to assist organizations like Second Chance that provide opportunities to others and help them see a brighter future."

Second Chance, a yearlong training program for women, is an outreach of Wings of Eagles International, a local faith-based ministry that has helped thousands of people locally and abroad for the past ten years. Second Chance recently acquired a facility that can house 30 women in the program at a time. By providing housing, training, mentoring, education and relocation assistance, Second Chance helps these individuals restore their lives and become self-sufficient and productive citizens. Endorsed by the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Second Chance offers positive opportunities to women who are in a life transition.

Ken Cassel founded Sleep Center in 1975. There are currently two stores in Lakeland and one in Winter Haven. A third Lakeland store is scheduled to open in 2005. Cassel was born in Hagerstown, Maryland. He received a B.A. degree from Stetson University and a M.B.A. from the University of South Florida. Cassel served two years in the US Army Signal Corps. He has been active in Lakeland South Rotary and has been a member of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce since 1978 and the Winter Haven chamber since 1990.