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The 9th Annual Art Van Charity Challenge Ends With $1.1 Million Raised Among 131 Midwest Charities

Furniture World News Desk on 5/14/2017


Art Van recently announced that a total of 131 charities across the Midwest raised more than $1.1 million in just three weeks' time for the 9th Annual Art Van Charity Challenge. The first-place winner is Chicago-based The Well of Mercy, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting single pregnant women. The charity raised a total of $213,547, receiving the grand prize of $100,000 from Art Van Furniture.

Since the Art Van Charity Challenge launched in 2009, Art Van Furniture has donated more than $8 million and raised more than $25 million for more than 465 charities aiding women, children and human services.

This year, four charities from Chicagoland and one from metro Detroit were the top winners. They include:

  • Second Place - $50,000: Boys & Girls Clubs of Porter County, Valparaiso, Ind. Grand total raised: $208,225
  • Third Place - $10,000: BSA Restoring the Village, Chicago, Ill. Grand total raised: $195,730
  • Fourth Place - $10,000: The Rainbow Connection, Rochester, Mich. Grand total raised $194,960
  • Fifth Place - $10,000: WINGS Program Inc., Chicago, Ill. Grand total raised $48,156
"It is inspiring to see communities come together in support of their local charities, helping them to continue their great work in aiding those who need it most," said Kim Yost, CEO of Art Van Furniture. "All of these deserving nonprofits should be proud of their accomplishments for their hard work in driving awareness for their organizations, and, as always, we extend a huge thank you to those who generously donated throughout our friendly competition."

With international supermodel, businesswoman and philanthropist Cindy Crawford as the Art Van Charity Challenge ambassador, all participating charities keep the funds they raised throughout the challenge.

More about The Art Van Charity Challenge: The Art Van Charity Challenge is powered annually by CrowdRise, an online charitable fundraising site. The Art Van Charity Challenge has raised more money than any other CrowdRise challenge in the Midwest. For more information, including a complete list of this year's participating charities and the amounts each raised, please visit www.artvancharitychallenge.com.