IKEA Partners with Empire State Development (ESD) and American Red Cross in Relief Efforts

Furniture World Magazine

IKEA, a leading home furnishings retailer, announced today the partnership with Empire State Development (ESD), New York State's economic development agency, which has been chosen by Governor George E. Pataki to lead the State's coordinated economic World Trade Center recovery efforts. IKEA will support Empire State Development (ESD) with its Small Business Recovery Center initiative to help struggling businesses affected by the tragedy. "In the wake of this tragedy, it is important that we take an active role in helping to rebuild our nation’s spirit, as well as our business community," said Pernille Spiers-Lopez, president, IKEA North America. "During this difficult and emotional time, we wanted to help alleviate some of the stress that many businesses are facing by providing basic workplace essentials, such as office furniture, which will be an important first step for companies working to rebuild." In support of the Small Business Recovery Center, IKEA has donated 1,000 complete workstations, which include a desk, office chair, drawer and storage units valued at more than $700, to benefit small businesses that have been affected by the World Trade Center tragedy and need our help right now. Businesses in need of temporary furnished office space should contact the Small Business Recovery Center at (518) 292-5200, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. "The Empire State Development Corporation was created specifically to help businesses affected by the September 11 tragedy. Our goal is to help companies get back on their feet with the donation of office necessities such as computers, software programs, office furniture and supplies," said Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development (ESD). "With the support of companies like IKEA, we hope to provide our business community with everything that they need to make their companies even stronger than before." "Rebuilding our business community together with the partnership of public and private sectors is exactly what will help us all be stronger," said City of Yonkers Mayor John Spencer. "It is our hope that these facilities in the City of Yonkers, as well as the furniture, equipment and services that have been donated by our business neighbors will prevent any companies from feeling as if they have no where to turn following the devastation and destruction from the World Trade Center tragedy." Empire State Development (ESD), The Governor’s Office for Small Cities, The New State Office of General Services (OGS), City of Yonkers and the Yonkers Industrial Development Agency are partnering with IKEA, IBM and Cablevision to fully equip a 130,000 square-foot center located in the Yonkers Ridge Hill office building just off the New York State Thruway at Exit 6A. The center, only 15 minutes from midtown Manhattan, will be available to small businesses rent-free through March 31, 2002. In addition, IKEA stores in the U.S. and Canada have implemented programs to support the American Red Cross relief efforts including: • American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund Donation Boxes at our stores. • A direct link to the American Red Cross web site via the IKEA U.S. and Canadian web sites, www.ikea-usa.com • IKEA "Give a Hug" Program - All proceeds from store and phone order sales of the IKEA FAMNIG heart, a red, soft pillow toy that has arms and hands and is a symbol of love and hope, will benefit the American Red Cross. The donation program will continue through the end of the year. • To help with the American Red Cross immediate relief effort, IKEA donated needed items such as batteries, blankets, pillows, storage bins, furniture and food. Empire State Development (ESD) is New York State's economic development agency. Our organization, with co-headquarters in Albany and New York City, is supported by a network of 18 additional ESD offices throughout the state and around the world. The organization is comprised of highly qualified professionals who help businesses. Our mission is to provide the highest level of assistance and service to businesses in order to encourage economic investment and prosperity in New York State. We work closely with businesses to: identify creative solutions to challenging problems, generate enhanced opportunities for growth, and help them achieve their uniquely important, short- and long-term goals. For more information visit www.empire.state.ny.us. The American Red Cross is dedicated to saving lives, easing suffering and restoring hope at home and around the world. Currently operating on a budget of $2.7 billion, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 67,000 disasters nationwide and has been the primary supplier of lifesaving blood and blood products in the United States for more than 50 years. In 2000, the Red Cross also trained almost 12 million people in vital lifesaving skills, provided direct health services to nearly 2.6 million people and delivered more than 21 million locally relevant community services. The organization also assisted international disaster and conflict victims in close to 40 locations around the globe, and its emergency communication centers processed 1.2 million calls in support of U.S. military families. Bernadine Healy, M.D., is president and CEO of the American Red Cross. For more information visit www.redcross.org. Since its founding in 1943, IKEA has offered a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of good design and function, at prices so low that the majority of the people can afford them. IKEA is recognized as a socially responsible company, and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment. Currently, IKEA has 163 stores in 30 countries, including 15 stores in the United States and seven stores in Canada. To visit the IKEA web site, go to http://www.ikea-usa.com.