Roomful Express Furniture Joins Toys For Tots Campaign

Furniture World Magazine

You may not find Santa lounging on a sofa or easy chair, but area residents are being encouraged to bring the joy of the season to underprivileged children by visiting any Roomful Express Furniture store. The Pittsburgh-based furniture retailer has joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program as a toy drop off center through December 15 at all 12 of its locations in Western Pennsylvania and St. Clairsville, Ohio. Toy collection receptacles are set up at each Roomful Express location, and the Company has donated 20,000 shopping bags that will be used by the Marines to distribute the toys to local families. New and unused toys of any size and shape - geared for infants to age 12 - are welcome. Toys designed to replicate weapons or shoot projectiles are discouraged. Organizers also ask that toys remain in original packaging and NOT be gift-wrapped. "We're in the business of making homes warm and comfortable for families," said Roomful Express CEO, Jack McGowan. "We are proud to bring that same warmth and comfort to needy children in our area through the Toys for Tots program." Toys for Tots campaigns are conducted in more than 350 communities throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. The Pittsburgh area campaign is based out of the U. S. Marine Reserve Center in North Versailles, where local Marine coordinators are responsible for planning, organizing and conducting the campaign. The toys are stored at the center and distributed by the Marines with assistance from local organizations such as the Salvation Army, church groups and other local community agencies. Toys for Tots began in 1947 when a group of Marine Reservists in Los Angeles collected and distributed 5,000 toys to needy children. The Marine Corps adopted Toys for Tots in 1948 and expanded it into a nationwide campaign. In 2001 U.S. Marines distributed more than 13.2 million new toys and brought the joy of Christmas and a message of hope to over six million needy children throughout the nation. It was the third most successful campaign in the 54-year history of Toys for Tots, with a total of 52,000 toys distributed in the Greater Pittsburgh area. Roomful Express Furniture (www.roomfulexpress.com) is a family owned company founded in Pittsburgh in 1958. The Company currently employs 330 andoperates 12 locations in the Pittsburgh, Johnstown. Pa. and Wheeling, W.Va. market areas. Projected sales for 2002 are estimated to be $50 million. For information about donating to the Toys for Tots Program contact any Roomful Express Furniture store location.