Furniture Sharehouse Celebrates First Anniversary of Helping Westchester Families in Need

Furniture World Magazine

Westchester’s Furniture Bank Kicks Off Second Annual Mattresses for Moms Campaign Furniture Sharehouse, a Furniture Bank loacted in White Plains, NY, announced its second annual Mother’s Day “Mattresses for Moms” campaign to raise funds to provide new beds for needy Westchester families. One year ago this month, Furniture Sharehouse celebrated the grand opening of its warehouse facility at the Westchester County Airport -- just nine days after the disastrous flooding that devastated many parts of the county. Furniture Sharehouse became an important partner in the flood relief efforts in the hard-hit Sound Shore area by opening a temporary furniture collection and distribution center in Mamaroneck. The satellite operation was able to collect enough furniture from local donors to provide 65 families with replacement furniture in only 10 days. In addition, Furniture Sharehouse sponsored a special Mother’s Day fundraising drive, “Mattresses for Moms,” to raise money to purchase bedding for flood victims. The supply of used but usable bedding was not nearly sufficient to meet the needs of local families. More than $15,000 was raised in a little over a week, with special participation by the Hommocks Middle School Student Council, which raised over $1,200. The proceeds enabled more than 90 brand-new mattresses to be distributed to flood families. Furniture Sharehouse serves clients at its warehouse facility located at the Westchester County Airport, and in just one year has aided over 260 households – more than 750 individuals, including 270 children. Clients are referred by one of 23 member agencies, and receive five to 10 items of gently-used free furniture, including beds, sofa, table and chairs, dresser and cabinet, and accessories such as lamps, rugs and TVs. To date, Furniture Sharehouse has distributed more than 2,000 items of furniture valued at over $150,000. This year, Furniture Sharehouse is sponsoring its second “Mattresses for Moms” Mother’s Day fundraising drive to help provide new beds for its neediest clients. “There is still an urgent need for beds for our clients, many of whom are moving out of shelters and are faced with sleeping on the floor,” said Kate Bialo, director of Furniture Sharehouse. The Westchester Community Foundation has awarded a $5,000 matching Challenge Grant to this year’s “Mattresses for Moms” campaign. “The Westchester Community Foundation supported our flood relief efforts last year with a generous grant, and we are thrilled to have their continuing support this year for our ‘Mattresses for Moms’ campaign,” said Bialo. For more information, or to make a donation in honor of a special mom, visit www.furnituresharehouse.org. While donations of any amount are greatly appreciated, for donations of $100 or more, Furniture Sharehouse will honor the donor’s mother with a special Mother’s Day card acknowledging the gift. About Furniture Sharehouse: Furniture Sharehouse, Westchester’s Furniture Bank (FS), collects gently-used furniture from the public and redistributes it free of charge directly to needy Westchester families. FS is supported by The Junior League of Westchester on the Sound, Westchester County’s Emergency Shelter Grant Program and other generous organizations and donors. FS is a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, so donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. About The Westchester Community Foundation: The Westchester Community Foundation (WCF) is a non-profit community endowment for the benefit of Westchester County. Its mission is to develop and manage philanthropic resources, and to distribute them in a way that is responsive to donor interests and community needs. WCF actively promotes charitable giving on behalf of the area’s non-profit organizations. WCF is a division of The New York Community Trust, one of the largest community foundations in the country with assets of approximately $2 billion.