West Coast bedding retailer Sleep Train reported that the success of the Sleep Train Foster Kids Program has inspired a number of other companies and organizations in the area to support regional foster children too. Collecting important material items and cash to contribute to current Sleep Train drives, area companies and organizations are leveraging Sleep Train's successful infrastructure and marketing efforts to offer their support for foster children.
This summer alone, Under the Nile, a Milpitas-based cotton apparel company, hosted a drive to support Sleep Train's annual collection of pajamas, donating 100 pairs of pajamas, including their own donation of 50 100%-organic cotton pajamas, a retail value totaling $1,600. Laptop Lunches, based in Santa Cruz, donated over 500 bento-style lunch boxes for foster kids, which promote healthy, waste-free lunches.
The "Reaching Beyond the Walls" Missions Group at San Quentin State Prison recently donated $1,500 to Sleep Train's Foster Kids Program. Twenty-five inmates coordinated and participated in the annual Reaching Beyond the Walls Walk-A-Thon on the prison yard, choosing to give the cash to foster children because many of California's inmates were formerly in foster care. Also, three 3rd grade girls in Napa spearheaded a drive at their elementary school, which collected nearly 700 pairs of shoes and clothing items for foster children. And, the Rowell Ranch Junior Rodeo has been collecting school supplies for foster kids at their August events to support Sleep Train's School Supply Drive.
"We're thrilled that our efforts are serving to inspire action from individuals in companies, organizations and institutions to host drives and events to obtain important material items and cash for foster children," said Dale Carlsen, CEO of Sleep Train. "These children are our future, and quite possibly the most important thing we can do as a community is to show them as a collective that we care and support them as they fight many odds to be successful."
Sleep Train started its Foster Kids Program in 2008 and has collected more than 300,000 items and $700,000 in cash for its foster organization partners. The company makes it easy for organization and businesses to contribute to the program with detailed information and resources on its website for "hosting your own drive." Sleep Train is currently collecting school supplies through September 5th. More information on the Sleep Train Foster Kids Program, resources for hosting your own drive, and upcoming drive dates can be found on the Sleep Train website.
About Sleep Train: Sleep Train Mattress Centers, an award winning, employee-owned company, is ranked the #1 bedding specialist on the West Coast. Sleep Train offers customers superior service by professional and knowledgeable sleep consultants and the best selection of famous brands, such as Simmons Beautyrest, Sealy Posturepedic, Tempur-Pedic, Stearns & Foster, and the Vera Wang Collection by Serta, as well as premium adjustable beds, futons, and wood and metal accent beds at the guaranteed lowest prices. Sleep Train's award-winning Foster Kids Program actively contributes to its community through ongoing donation drives that benefit the area's nearly 60,000 foster children. With more than 90 retail locations throughout California, Sleep Train is Your Ticket to a Better Night's Sleep . For more information, please visit www.sleeptrain.com or call 1-800-378-BEDS.