Furniture industry campaign raises $1.1 million for City of Hope

Nearly 700 industry executives attend High Point Market gala

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, June 2, 2009

HIGH POINT — City of Hope's Spirit of Life Awards gala during the High Point Market capped a campaign that raised upwards of $1.1 million for the medical research and treatment facility, officials said.

"During these very difficult economic conditions, we are grateful to all those who have contributed and volunteered throughout our 2008-2009 campaign and helped raise over $1.1 million for City of Hope," said Roger Friesen of case goods source Casana Furniture, who is co-president of City of Hope's National Home Furnishings Industry group.

"Through the combined effort of the various regional and national events including the 2008 Hike for Hope, West Coast Golf and Tennis Tournament, and Midwest Dinner Cruise, we continue our industry's 44-year history of support to City of Hope," he said. "We are proud of this outstanding effort."

At the High Point gala, nearly 700 industry executives turned out to honor the Berkshire Hathaway furniture retail division and case goods and upholstery source Aspenhome.

Accepting for the Berkshire companies were Irv Blumkin, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Omaha, Neb.; Bill Kimbrell, Star Furniture, Houston; Jeff Child, R.C. Willey; and Eliot Tatelman, Jordan's Furniture, Avon, Mass. Accepting for Aspenhome were company officials Bill Colegrove, David Blum, Jena Hall, David Heard, Andy Nielsen, Bill Reece and Kim Whitlock.

"On behalf of the home furnishings industry, I'm proud to support City of Hope," said Blumkin. "My colleagues and I believe that City of Hope's work is critical to the future of research by turning hope into a reality and ensuring that patients receive innovative and more effective treatments for cancer and other life-threatening diseases."

Sponsors of the gala included Aspenhome, Berkshire Hathaway Retail Group, Ashley Furniture, Simmons Bedding, Casana Furniture, Furniture Brands International, the International Home Furnishings Center, Leggett & Platt, Lexington Home Brands, Natuzzi Americas, Sealy Mattress and Serta.

More information on City of Hope's National Home Furnishings Industry effort is online at www.cityofhope.org/nhfi.