Earl Kluft to receive City of Hope's Lifetime Achievement Award

Honor will be presented at West Coast tournament

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 5, 2011

Earl Kluft

LOS ANGELES — Bedding executive Earl Kluft will be honored at the 20th annual West Coast Golf and Tennis Tournament benefiting City of Hope, the cancer research and treatment center.

Kluft, the founder and owner of E. S. Kluft & Co., will receive City of Hope's Lifetime Achievement Award for his philanthropic contributions and business accomplishments.

Hosted by City of Hope's National Home Furnishings Industry chapter, the West Coast tournament and reception will take place at the Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club in Orange County, Calif., on Monday, June 6.

Kluft began as a sewing room employee at the age of 14 at E.S. Kluft & Co., founded by his grandfather in 1946. He moved up the ranks and became CEO in 1986. He purchased all family shares in the company in 1991.

Kluft, a pioneer and innovator in luxury bedding, founded the Chattam & Wells brand in 1996 and purchased the high-end Aireloom Mattress brand in 2004. Soon after, he created the Kluft brand, which he has established as one of the most luxurious bedding brands in America.

His business philosophy lies in his passion for perfection and a strong work ethic, City of Hope said in announcing the award.

"It's an honor to be recognized by an organization that is paving the future for cancer research," said Kluft. "There are too many people we know who have battled this deadly disease, which is why we must support City of Hope's efforts to quickly turn promising scientific discoveries into new treatments for patients."

"Earl stands with City of Hope in the fight against cancer," said Shannon Sullivan, director of development, City of Hope. "His support along with the furnishings industry will enable researchers to fast track promising, new therapies for a future without cancer."

In its 20-year history, the West Coast Golf and Tennis Tournament and dinner has raised more than $5 million for City of Hope.

To register for the tournament and purchase tickets for dinner, visit www.cityofhope.org/nhfi/tournament or contact Sullivan at ssullivan@coh.org. For information about the National Home Furnishing Industry's efforts to support City of Hope, visit www.cityofhope.org/nhfi.

In 45 years, the industry chapter has raised more than $43 million for City of Hope.