Furniture industry continues relief efforts
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, October 15, 2001
Cardi's of Mass. helps raise over $525,000
SWANSEA, Mass. — Cardi's Furniture Superstores here helped raise more than $525,000 in supplies, services and funds for victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The retailer joined a continuing groundswell of support from the home furnishings industry in response to the events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
Nick, Ron and Pete Cardi and their staff, along with a local radio show, collected more than 11 tractor-trailer loads of relief supplies. Two busloads of volunteers took the donations to New York.
New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's office said it was the largest single donation to date. On Sept. 28, U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., presented a flag from the nation's Capitol to the Cardis and the radio show hosts in honor of their efforts.
| Nick, left, Ron and Pete Cardi of Cardi's Furniture Superstores, Swansea, Mass.; local radio show host Kim Zandy; U.S. Sen. Jack Reed; and Will Gilbert, radio host. |
Sealy donates 300 mattresses to NYC
ARCHDALE, N.C. — Sealy, the No. 1 bedding producer, donated 300 mattresses to New York City fire stations and has launched a monetary donation program to support the American Red Cross.
The mattresses, which left Sealy headquarters here Oct. 8, went to fire stations throughout the city's five boroughs. Tractor-trailers carrying the bedding featured a painting of the New York skyline, including the now-destroyed World Trade Center, one of several graphics packages Sealy has used on its trailers in recent years.
Sealy Chairman Ron Jones said the company will donate $5 to the Red Cross for every consumer who purchases a Sealy sleep set and registers the warranty on the company's Web site, www.sealy.com, by Dec. 31. The Web site also has a link that enables visitors to donate directly to the Red Cross.
Based on sales in last year's fourth quarter, Jones said Sealy's contribution could approach $1 million.
Vaughan-Bassett extends rebates
GALAX, Va. — Case goods producer Vaughan-Bassett has launched Operation: American Spirit, a rebate campaign designed to drive business as it helps fund efforts to recover from terrorist attacks.
The campaign extends a 5% rebate to qualified dealers on Vaughan-Bassett goods to non-closeout product from all the company's divisions — Vaughan-Bassett, V-B/Williams and Virginia House. The rebates are good on product shipped from Oct. 1 through Dec. 21. The rebates originally were set for a one-time run this summer.
To dealers who meet qualifying sales goals, Vaughan-Bassett will give a 4½% rebate, with the remaining half-percentage point going to the New York Red Cross.
"If we can ship as much furniture during Operation: American Spirit as we did during this summer's Gimme Five (rebate) program, on Jan. 14 we will send more than $100,000 to the New York Red Cross relief effort in the names of our dealers," the company said in a letter to dealers.
Ikea supports small business recovery
PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. — Ikea is partnering with Empire State Development, New York State's economic development agency, to support its Small Business Recovery Center initiative to help struggling businesses affected by the Sept. 11 attacks.
The Sweden-based home furnishings retailer has donated 1,000 workstations, each valued at more than $700, to benefit affected small businesses.
Ikea also is joining with IBM, Cablevision and various state and local agencies to fully equip a 130,000-square-foot center in Yonkers, N.Y., about 15 minutes from midtown Manhattan, which will be available to small businesses rent-free through March 31.
Meanwhile, Ikea stores in the United States and Canada have implemented programs to support American Red Cross relief efforts. The retailer has donated batteries, blankets, pillows, storage bins, furniture and food.
"In the wake of this tragedy, it is important that we help rebuild our nation's spirit, as well as our business community," said Pernille Spiers-Lopez, president of Ikea North America.
Cologne furniture shows will carry on
COLOGNE, Germany — Home furnishings shows here will carry on as scheduled, said Jochen Witt, president of the KoelnMesse showroom building.
"We cannot allow the terrorists to win — and they will win if they succeed in immobilizing and frightening us," he said.
Witt said the city and its hotels are working with KoelnMesse "to ensure a safe and productive environment during all our events."
Sleep Country USA raises over $46,000
SEATTLE — Bedding retailer Sleep Country USA raised more than $46,000 for the American Red Cross during a two-week drive at its 28 stores.
The retailer, which has stores in the Seattle and Portland, Ore., markets, was assisted by several radio stations owned by Infinity Broadcasting Co.
Barrie Brown, Sleep Country's chief executive officer, said, "We want to thank our customers and our employees for their generous outpouring of support."
He said customers donated about $42,000 and employees chipped in some $2,000, with the company matching the employees' contribution.
Lazar will donate part of market orders
HIGH POINT — Upholstery producer Lazar Inds. is donating a percentage of the proceeds from orders placed at market to the Sept. 11 Fund, which helps meet the immediate and longer-term needs of victims, their families, and the communities affected by the terrorist attacks.
"This expresses our continuing belief in America and its economic strength and values. We hope that other manufacturers will do the same," said Stacy Marillo, president of Lazar, which is based in Los Angeles.
Flexsteel raises nearly $28,000 for Red Cross
DUBUQUE, Iowa — Workers at Flexsteel plants nationwide, with matching funds from the company, raised nearly $28,000 for the American Red Cross Liberty Fund, which helps terrorist victims and their families.
"The spirit of compassion demonstrated by our Flexsteel associates is what makes me so proud to be an American," said Ed Monaghan, executive vice president. "Even in tough economic times … when disaster strikes, Americans take care of each other."
The upholstery producer moved quickly after Sept. 11 to organize the fund-raising, promising to match 100% of whatever employees donated.
Glober is donating 5% of market orders
HIGH POINT — Metal furniture manufacturer Glober is donating 5% of the amount of each order written at market here to the firemen's relief fund in New York.
John Glowacki, vice president of Glober, based in Carpentersville, Ill., said, "We were thinking that if some other companies heard of this and did the same — every little bit helps — we as an industry could make a big impact on people's lives.
He said the company's reps quickly decided to add a percentage of their commission to the donation.
