Roomful Express Collects More Than 500 Toys For Tots In Pittsburgh Area

Furniture World Magazine

A total of 540 toy cars, games, dolls, action figures, coloring books and more were collected this holiday season for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program by all twelve Roomful Express Furniture stores located throughout Western Pennsylvania and St. Clairsville, Ohio. "It's extremely gratifying and heartwarming to know that we've made it possible for nearly 600 underprivileged children to unwrap a gift this Christmas," said Jack McGowan, Roomful Express CEO. "I can't say enough about how our customers and associates got behind this wonderful program." Roomful Express worked with the Marines' North Versailles, Pa. station in a centralized effort that allowed the program organizers to pick up all the toys at the Roomful Express warehouses in Pittsburgh. Each of the toy collection receptacles was managed by the individual store managers, who were responsible for overseeing the donations and arranging for their delivery to the Company warehouse. It was a job well done, according to McGowan. "Our people really took personal ownership of this effort. Many of our associates have children of their own, and it really hit home to think some kids may not be able to open a present on Christmas morning." Toys for Tots campaigns are conducted in more than 350 communities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The program began modestly in 1947, but by 2001 the Marines were distributing more than 13.2 million new toys to over six million needy children nationwide - with a total of 52,000 toys distributed in the Greater Pittsburgh area last year. Total figures for the current campaign are not yet available. Roomful Express Furniture (www.roomfulexpress.com) is a family owned company founded in Pittsburgh in 1958. The Company currently employs 330 and operates 12 locations in the Pittsburgh, Johnstown. Pa. and Wheeling, W.Va. market areas. Projected sales for 2002 are estimated to be $50 million.