Furniture Today
AT THE MARKET — Help1Up, the industry charitable effort through the National Furniture Banks Assn.,

today honored three organizations that have helped the organization’s efforts to provide the needy with furniture, mainly used items.

Rooms To Go was named Retailer of the Year, Kathy Ireland Worldwide was named Supplier of the Year, and Ed Massood of MGM Transport was saluted as Helping Hero of the Year.

Supporters of the NFBA honored the three at a breakfast here this morning.
 
Rooms To Go has given millions of dollars worth of furniture through the NFBA, and trucked it free to local furniture banks. The Top 100 chainalso had its commercial spokesperson, Cindy Crawford, film a public service announcement at the furniture bank in New Orleans, requesting all Americans support the NFBA and their local furniture bank.

Rooms To Go also pledged to donate 10% of the company’s New Orleans-area sales on March 17 to the NFBA.

Kathy Ireland, whose company Kathy Ireland Worldwide designs and licenses many home products, has volunteered as Help1Up Ambassador to serve as a spokesperson for the organization. At her request, every Kathy Ireland Worldwide licensee became a sponsor of the NFBA.

Massood’s company has devoted manpower and thousands of square feet in its North Carolina distribution center to collecting furniture from exhibitor showrooms at High Point Market, including all labor. MGM Transport then ships the donations to furniture banks across the country.