Furniture And Decorative Accessory Market Of New England Coordinates Successful Donation To Our Father's House

Furniture World Magazine

The Karel Exposition Management (KEM) New England Furniture & Decorative Accessory market was recently held in Fitchburg, Mass., and a local charity benefited. In an effort to have a positive impact on the communities where it hosts shows, KEM coordinated a donation of furniture to Our Father's House, a local homeless shelter. At KEM's suggestion, Don Virgin, president of The Virgin Group, announced his company donated a solid hardwood kitchen dinette table with four arrowback side chairs by Winners Only, Inc. The item has a retail value of about $900. The Virgin Group of New Jersey was an exhibitor at KEM's New England Furniture and Decorative Accessory Market March 15 to 17 at the Royal Plaza Trade Center. "When Larry [Karel, KEM president] suggested we give a donation to Our Father's House, we didn't hesitate, " Virgin said. "It will be put to great use. We know that people who really need help and want it will get it. Very often, the people who are truly struggling through life get lost. " Our Father's House has provided shelter to homeless people since it opened its doors in 1985. It is home to about eight women and twenty men. The organization's reputation in the community led to its recommendation by Frank Tuscano, general manager of the Best Western Hotel, as a worthy organization. I recognize Our Father's House as such a wonderful community facility," Tuscano said. "So when KEM came to me and said it wanted to make a donation, I knew just where to send them. " Karel Exposition Management who coordinated this donation is the nation's largest producer of regional furniture and decorative accessory markets. Based in Hollywood, Fla., the company holds regional markets at Edison, N.J.; Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Orlando, Fla.; Las Vegas, Nev.; Fitchburg, Mass.; Atlanta, Ga.; Baltimore, MD; and Pomona, Calif. For more information, call KEM at (954) 454-7777 or visit the website at www.kemexpo.com. For more information about Our Father's House, call (508) 345-2256. For more information on KEM shows e-mail Larry Karel at info@kemexpo.com