ATLANTA, Ga., Jun. 14/National Furniture Bank Association/ -- This month the home furnishings industry launched 600 in ’06, the drive toward attaining 600 sponsors of the industry’s unified charitable effort. The National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA), the non-profit organization which represents almost 70 furniture banks across the country, said the 600 in ’06 drive will increase the capacity of existing furniture banks and also open new facilities.

Furniture banks collect used home furnishings from the general public, then donate them to needy families such as survivors of natural disasters, women and children escaping domestic violence, and working families living below the poverty line. Help1Up is the NFBA’s national public awareness campaign.

“There is a combined universe of some 40,000 companies in our industry,” said Furniture/Today editor in chief and NFBA board of directors member Ray Allegrezza. “From home furnishings retailers, accessory retailers, suppliers, manufacturers and others, it’s time we all got together to make a difference.”

Phil Van Poetsch, executive director of the NFBA, said the home furnishings industry has embraced this effort “first and foremost because it’s a very worthy cause. It’s good for your soul, and it’s good for the industry as a whole.” Furniture banks annually collect and distribute over 1,000,000 pieces of furniture, translating into consumers purchasing 1,000,000 pieces of new furniture to replace donated items.
Five benefits of becoming a sponsor are:

1. Increased store traffic. Retail stores that urge furniture donations from consumers not only have increased traffic, the consumers who donate will buy replacement furniture or upgrades. A customer with a vacant space where their sofa used to be is a very motivated buyer. And it’s guilt-free.

2. A great PR bonus. Being a sponsor allows you the opportunity to publicly demonstrate that you’re a good corporate citizen, and that you’re doing something positive locally and nationally. Tell the NFBA when you donate any scratched, dented or returned furniture to a furniture bank. The NFBA will alert local television and newspaper media about a great human interest story. Positive press coverage is the best advertising — and it’s free.
3. It’s good, green thinking. Donating used furniture, showroom pieces lo longer salable as “new,” and other items keeps the furniture out of landfills and incinerators. Yet another PR bonus: studies show consumers appreciate environmentally friendly businesses.

4. A marketing springboard. Retailers can use their sponsorship as another way to positively engage consumers. For example, you can offer a discount to every customer that donates furniture to a needy family, or announce a matching donation for every customer who makes a purchase and donates a set amount to the Help1Up campaign.

5. Bottom-line booster. CFOs appreciate the tax break for a monetary or in-kind donation, not to mention alleviating the expense and headaches incurred when disposing of unsalable merchandise.

Each month the NFBA will announce new sponsors in home furnishings industry publications. Sponsors will be listed on the Help1Up.org website, along with the sponsor’s logo, company description, and hyperlink. Retailers can also have their store locations added to the “Find By Zip Code” function of the Help1Up.org site to assist customers wishing to shop at sponsoring retailers.

Nearly two dozen sponsors have come forward to show their support in advance of the 600 in ’06 kick off. Mary Ann Levitt, president of Brueners Arizona and the 2006 president of National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA), said “I’m proud to do whatever I can. I know that our industry can only make an impact if we all act together, now, and show the American public we care.”

Initial sponsors include: Alperts Furniture, Badcock Home Furniture, Bob’s Discount Furniture, Bruener’s Arizona, Gabbert’s Furniture, Gorin's Furniture Inc., Furniture First, Hooker Furniture, Jennifer Convertibles, Kathy Ireland Home by Alta, Kathy Ireland Home by Hanna's Candles, Kathy Ireland Home by Labs, Inc., Kathy Ireland Home by Martin, Kathy Ireland Home by Pacific Coast Lighting, Kathy Ireland Home by Standard, Kathy Ireland Home by Therapedic, Kathy Ireland Worldwide, Lack’s Furniture, MGM Transport Corp., National Companies, and Wolf Furniture.
Industry associations endorse the effort and are encouraging their members to participate. Supporters include Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA International), Futon Association International (FAI), Home Furnishings International Association (HFIA), Interior Design Society (IDS), International Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA), National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA), North American Retail Dealers Association (NARDA), Unfinished Furniture Association (UFA), Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA), WithIt.

“Six hundred sponsors is way too low,” said Wogie Badcock, executive vice president of Badcock Home Furniture. “It’s a fantastic cause. I know the entire industry will join together to make it a success. Let’s all get on board so we have to change the name of this drive to 6,000 in ’06.”

Information about the five levels of corporate sponsorship is available at www.help1up.org.

About the National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA)

The NFBA is the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of the home furnishings industry. Its mission is to create comfortable home environments by providing essential furnishings to those in need. No child in America should have to sleep on the floor. Kathy Ireland is the Help1Up Ambassador, and the NFBA Board of Directors includes Ray Allegrezza, Editor-in-Chief, Furniture/Today Magazine; Mary Frye, President, Home Furnishings International Association (HFIA); and, Steve DeHaan, Executive Vice President, National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA).

Source: National Furniture Bank Association

CONTACT: National Furniture Bank Association, Don Lawrence, Vice President, Communications, Tel: , E-mail:

Website: http://www.help1up.org