Rooms to Go Makes 4,000 Room Furniture Donation to Hurricane Katrina Victims

Furniture World Magazine

The National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA), the furniture industry's unified charitable organization, announced that America's leading furniture retailer, Rooms To Go (RTG), has donated 4,000 rooms of free furniture to Hurricane Katrina victims. A large portion of the free furniture is being distributed through local affiliates of the National Furniture Bank Association in Orlando, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta and Augusta, GA. "Many of us, especially those in Florida, have seen our share of hurricanes, but the scale of death, damage and displacement from Katrina is truly mind-boggling," said the Florida-based company's President and CEO Jeffrey Seaman. "As part of our effort to ease the burden for displaced families, we are sending truckloads of furniture to each of five regional furniture banks." Since Hurricane Katrina, FEMA, the American Red Cross, the United Way and countless other public and private organizations have turned to regional furniture banks throughout the country for home furnishing essentials. To date, more than 1,200 families have been aided by furniture banks and more are benefiting from these non-profits each day. "As Hurricane Katrina victims begin to settle into temporary or permanent housing, many are struggling to obtain essential home furnishings, such as beds, dressers, tables and chairs. For some it could take weeks or months to furnish an entire home," said Phil Van Poetsch, executive director of the NFBA. "With its generous donation, Rooms To Go has made an immediate and positive impact on the lives of thousands of people. The company, executives and employees have set a model example for the furniture industry to follow." About Rooms To Go Founded in 1991, Florida based Rooms To Go - with stores in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas - is recognized as the top-selling furniture retailer in the US. Rooms To Go also operates Rooms to Go Kids, specializing in children's furniture. About the National Furniture Bank Association The home furnishings industry's unified charitable organization, the non-profit National Furniture Bank Association serves 100,000 each year. No child in America should have to sleep on the floor. Furniture banks provide essential home furnishings to victims of natural disasters, women and children escaping domestic violence, families struggling to stay above the poverty line, and others in need.