The Holiday Season at IKEA is a Time of Giving

Furniture World Magazine

Little hands can be warmed by big hearts at all IKEA stores with the IKEA holiday "Mitten Tree" Program for needy children. IKEA is kicking off the holiday season with a series of activities to help put everyone in the holiday spirit.   "During the holiday season we enjoy sharing with our customers the opportunity to be involved with programs that give to others in need," said Janice Simonsen, spokesperson for IKEA. "This year we're happy to offer many programs that emphasize the importance of giving back to others in many different ways which can have an impact on a child in our local community, around the world and even in future generations." The "Mitten Tree" Program: IKEA is inviting children to help decorate the "warmest" Christmas tree in its stores by participating in the "Mitten Tree" Program, which will begin in conjunction with IKEA's annual TreeFund event. In an effort to expose children to the rewards of giving to those in need, IKEA has arranged that all children who bring in mittens for needy children will receive a free FAMNIG heart shaped soft toy as a special thank you. Every IKEA store will decorate their Christmas tree with the mittens and then donate the mittens to a local organization that will distribute them to children in need. In addition, IKEA will donate toys for every pair of mittens on the "Mitten Tree" to the same local organization. Annual UNICEF Cards Promotion: IKEA, with support from customers, will help improve the lives of children around the world with the sale of UNICEF holiday cards. IKEA will donate $1.00 to UNICEF for every box of cards purchased. Since 1988, IKEA has raised approximately $900,000 for UNICEF. IKEA Home Furnishings has 153 stores worldwide in 28 countries and 13 stores in the United States. To visit the IKEA web site, go to http://www.ikea.com. The programs listed above are available at all IKEA stores, except IKEA Seattle.