Dufresne Group Issues C$1M Charity Challenge
Michael Knell -- Furniture Today, August 16, 2011
WINNIPEG, Manitoba - Canadian furniture and appliance retailer The Dufresne Group plans to give away at least C$500,000 to charities over the next three months as part of a C$1 Million Charity Challenge.
In a statement, the group said the struggling economy can be particularly tough on local charities, with many experiencing increased demands for their services and difficulties in fulfilling their mission.
"We've been fortunate enough to be successful and we feel it is our responsibility to give back. That's why we are dedicated to supporting local charities," Dufresne CEO Mark Dufresne said.
TDG's charitable arm, the Dufresne Foundation, is launching the challenge as part of the year-long celebration of Dufresne's 25th anniversary. TDG is the parent company of the 11-unit Dufresne Furniture & Appliances.
The company said it plans to give a minimum of C$10,000 to as many as 50 charities in the communities where their stores are located, for a total commitment of C$500,000. The nonprofit recipients will then raise an equivalent amount to equal a total of C$1 million.
"Our belief is that giving back to the community is the right thing to do," said Doug Dufresne, the company's president and founder. "The community has always been our cornerstone of success and this is one way for us to show our gratitude and support charitable organizations with a special focus on children, women and health programs."
The foundation is accepting applications from charities online at www.dufresne.ca through Aug. 8. Recipients will be announced in September.
In addition to Dufresne Furniture & Appliances, TDG also owns the Dufresne Retail Solutions Group, a buying group that serves over 70 independent members, and is the furniture, mattress and appliance supplier to the Northwest Company, a 145-unit retailer in northern Canada.
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