Sleep Country USA Receives Point Of Light Award

Furniture World Magazine

Sleep Country USA (www.sleepcountry.com), the Northwest’s largest seller of premium mattresses, has garnered nationwide recognition for its Sleep Country Foster Kids program. On October 4, 2007, the company will be honored by the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, known as America’s address for volunteering, with a “Daily Point of Light Award,” http://www.pointsoflight.org/awards/dpol/winner.cfm?AwardNum=3566. Sleep Country USA founded its Foster Kids program in 2005 in response to the dire needs of foster children in the northwest who often live without essential material items like warm clothing, shoes that fit, school supplies, and holidays gifts. Imagine a six-year-old who has to combat the winter cold without a coat, or a ten-year-old starting her first day of school without the essential items she needs to keep up in school. “Sleep Country’s Foster Kids program helps to ensure these occurrences happen less often,” said Jessica Ross of Treehouse, a partner organization and the nominator for this award. “Getting such items is crucial for these children to boost their sense of self-worth and self-esteem.” Sleep Country also added two new events to its program in 2006: The Pajama Bowl and Day of Fun at Wildwaves & Enchanted Village, providing the added extras and experiences that foster children go without. “We are thrilled to receive such a prestigious honor for our efforts to help the foster children in our area, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of our community and employees,” said Terry Horsley, Vice President of Brand Strategy, Sleep Country USA. “Our dedicated commitment to this very important social cause has allowed us to have a profound impact on the organizations that support these children, and the children themselves. Giving back to our community is a significant part of our company spirit and being acknowledged for our philanthropic work by this prominent foundation is inspirational.” The Daily Point of Light Award recognizes individuals, organizations, groups, families or businesses actively engaged in voluntary service, which find innovative ways to meet community needs and support the development of long-term solutions that positively impact social problems in local communities. The criteria used in reviewing and judging nominations included community need and solution, connection building, ongoing involvement, impact, and innovation – all of which Sleep Country USA met to be named a winner. Sleep Country knows that while not everyone can be a foster parent, anyone can help a foster child. About The Points of Light Foundation: The Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network engages and mobilizes millions of volunteers who are helping to solve serious social problems in thousands of communities. Through a variety of programs and services, the Foundation encourages people from all walks of life — businesses, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, low-income communities, families, youth, and older adults — to volunteer. Based in Washington, DC, the Foundation has gained a national reputation as America's Address for Volunteering. As President George W. Bush commented, "The Points of Light Foundation embodies America's spirit of volunteerism and the goodwill of its citizens." Visit www.pointsoflight.org. About Sleep Country USA: Sleep Country USA is the No. 1 mattress seller in the Northwestern United States, with more than 60 mattress retail stores throughout Washington and Oregon. The company was founded in 1991 and features top-quality brand-name mattresses and premium adjustable beds, futons, and wood and metal accent beds. An industry visionary, Sleep Country USA strives to help every customer “choose well to live well.” The company is active in its communities, hosting ongoing events that benefit the area’s more than 23,000 foster children. For more information about Sleep Country USA or Sleep Country Foster Kids, please visit www.sleepcountry.com.