Event honoring Earl Kluft raises $750,000 for City of Hope

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, June 9, 2011

Earl Kluft, left, and Rick Powell, co-chair of City of Hope’s National Home Furnishing Industry’s West Coast committee.

Earl Kluft, left, and Michael Amini of AICO at the City of Hope event.

Pam Kluft, left, Steve Stagner of Mattress Firm, Houston, Kelly Gordon and Earl Kluft.

LOS ANGELES — More than 500 leaders of the home furnishings industry came together this week to honor E.S. Kluft & Co. founder and CEO Earl Kluft with the City of Hope's Lifetime Achievement award.

The award was presented in conjunction with City of Hope's West Coast Golf and Tennis Tournament, held June 6 at the Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club in Orange County. The event raised about $750,000 for City of Hope, a California medical center for the research and treatment of cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

Kluft, a manufacturer of high-end mattresses, donated one of his products, valued at $33,000, to the silent auction.

In the past 20 years the West Coat event has raised nearly $6 million for City of Hope, and the National Home Furnishings Industry chapter has raised more than $43 million over the past 45 years for the facility, officials said.

Kluft said he was honored to support the City of Hope.

"Those who know me know that I have true passion for my craft," he said. "That is why it has been so fantastic to work with a great organization like City of Hope and people who have true passion for their craft. I am in awe of the passion of the doctors, researchers, fundraisers and donors and their commitment and dedication to providing a caring and giving environment that allows for respect, dignity and hope for people struck by debilitating and sometimes fatal diseases - thankfully less fatal than ever, because of City of Hope's great work."

"Earl's passion and commitment is second to none," said Shannon Sullivan, director of development at City of Hope. "We are more than honored to have Earl and his family, friends and associates stand with City of Hope in the fight against cancer. His support will enable researchers to fast track promising new therapies for a future without cancer."

Members of the Kluft family attending the West Coast event include Michelle, left, Pam, Earl, Julie and Alex.

Earl and Pam Kluft with D’Ann and Mark Moore of Weir’s Furniture, Farmers Branch, Texas.