City of Hope to honor Bob Sherman, Jeff Seaman

Spirit of Life Award banquet set for April

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, August 10, 2011

Bob Sherman

Jeff Seaman

LOS ANGELES — Bob Sherman of Serta and Jeff Seaman of Rooms To Go will be honored as recipients of City of Hope's Spirit of Life Award next spring.

Sherman, who is CEO and president of Serta, and Seaman, CEO and co-founder of Seffner, Fla.-based Rooms To Go, will be honored at a dinner April 22 during the High Point Market.

The Home Furnishings Industry division of City of Hope, a California-based medical and research center, announced the choice of Sherman and Seaman as honorees in recognition of their outstanding commitment to philanthropy.

"It's only fitting to honor these two leaders who have paved the way in the home furnishings industry with their tremendous support and commitment to our mission. Their influence gives us greater hope that cures can one day be found," Kevin O'Connor, chairman of the Spirit of Life gala and president and CEO of Samson Marketing, said in a press release.

The Spirit of Life Award is presented annually to individuals who have made notable contributions to their community and profession and have influenced the direction of their industry.

"It's an honor to support an organization that is leading the way in helping people manage and ultimately conquer cancer," Sherman said. "Patients everywhere benefit from the innovative science at City of Hope. I'm happy to do whatever I can to advance the institution's mission to quickly find cures for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases."

Seaman said he was personally touched by the ways cancer affects family, friends and the furnishings community.

"We're all connected and the support we can provide to each other - whether physically, emotionally or financially - makes a great difference in the world. You can see it in City of Hope's mission to cure cancer, and I've made it my mission to help," he said.

To purchase tickets for the dinner, which will take place at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C., email bstern@coh.org. Funds raised by the event will support research, treatment and education programs at City of Hope.