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Industry aid pouring in

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, September 11, 2005

High Point — From major manufacturers to small retailers, the furniture industry is pitching in with efforts to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Here are examples of some of the many efforts. For a more complete list, see our Web site at www.furnituretoday.com.

Ashley Furniture Inds. has given $1.1 million to the American Red Cross, presenting a check at the company's complex in Ecru, Miss.
In addition to participation in the National Furniture Bank, the Tupelo Furniture Market has set up a distribution center to collect clothing, shoes, toiletries and other necessities for delivery to people affected by Katrina.
The market also is putting its network of local residents who offer housing during the Tupelo markets to work in finding temporary accommodations for displaced people. And it is opening its parking areas, and providing electrical and sanitation hookups, to recreational vehicles donated by individuals to give storm victims a place to stay.
Retailer Ikea is encouraging its customers to assist the American Red Cross disaster relief fund by purchasing a specially designed cushion in the shape of a heart for $9.99. The cushions will be available at all 24 U.S. Ikea stores through Sept. 30. All money raised from the cushion sale will be donated to the disaster relief fund.
The retailer also is matching the personal donations of its employees up to $250,000, and is donating pillows and bedding to displaced victims. The company also is working on a long-term plan to donate $1 million worth of home furnishings as victims work to rebuild their homes.
Bedding major Sealy has pledged $1 million in cash and product donations to the American Red Cross. Sealy officials said they believed the combination of immediate cash relief and products will provide needed aid to storm-damaged areas.
Sealy also has formed a fund-raising challenge with employees to collect donations through Sept. 16.
Importer Powell Co. has donated the entire contents of its Tupelo market showroom to a group of Tupelo firefighters there who are preparing housing for those displaced by Gulf Coast flooding.

Marty Libowsky, a sales representative for Powell, also purchased 150 pairs of shoes, carts of non-perishable food and gasoline for the relief effort on behalf of 100 Angels, an industry charitable foundation he created.

Retailers or manufacturers who want to help with the housing project in Tupelo and/or the 100 Angels Foundation can contact Libowsky at (205) 368-4815.

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Furniture industry reaches out to hurricane survivors

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