With thick winter coats and work gloves on their hands, about 17 men piled into Doug Morris’ workshop in Montevallo to build beds for kids.

“I just feel a need to help folks and there was a need there,” Morris said.

Oak Mountain Missions Founder Roddy Cooper said Morris has led several projects for OMM in the past, so going to him to assemble beds for the non-profits’ many families in need seemed natural.

For this project, Morris drew up the plans and ran with Cooper’s idea.

“Doug’s a 24-hour Christian,” Cooper said. “He doesn’t talk about what he does, he just does it.”

So far, the group has constructed 24 beds, Cooper said.

With their efficient assembly-line style, Morris said the men could produce six beds in three-and-one-half hours.

Materials for the beds cost $68. While that’s much cheaper than purchasing a bed directly from the store, it’s still too expensive for the mission to buy as many as its clients need.

“If we had the money, we’d build them all the time — we could use 10-15 of them a month,” Cooper said. “Our clients don’t have a lot of space. They may be living in a trailer or a small house. This provides a space for their kids to sleep at night.”

Volunteer John Ellison said the project allowed him to put his love of woodworking to use.

“I enjoy woodworking as a hobby, so it combines a service project with something I know how to do,” Ellison said. “I am thankful that I have the health, time and money for woodworking and helping to provide a bed for a child is a way to express thanks.”

All of the men gathered on that blistery day to put the beds together. While it was cold and the work kept them busy, Morris said the crew made the project fun.

“We got the job done, but it was a good time of fellowship and I honestly believe it helps our church grow,” Morris said.

Ellison agreed that service work is integral to all the men’s spiritual growth.

“We are called as Christians to be of service to others and through this project we demonstrate this part of Christian life,” Ellison said.

The work also allows OMM to accomplish their goals and grow.

Cooper said people like Morris energize the mission.

“If it weren’t for God, if it weren’t for volunteers — there wouldn’t be an Oak Mountain Missions,” Cooper said.

OMM thrived off the more than 12,000 hours 285 volunteers put into the ministry last year, Cooper said.