Western Home Furnishings Association Hosts Build-a-Bike Event

Furniture World Magazine

The Western Home Furnishings Association announced that its conference and expo in Tucson, Ariz. will begin with a unique charity event in support of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson. On Sunday, May 18, from 4:30–6:30 p.m., conference attendees will be building 30 bikes that will later be donated to children of the Boys and Girls Club. The “Build-a-Bike and Learn to Build a Better Relationship with Your Community” opening session, sponsored by Powell Company, will get conference attendees interacting with one another and teach them the benefits of building relationships within their own community. Three-time Emmy Award winner Jack Gallagher will emcee the event and attendees will participate in team-building games. Once the bikes have been built, each team will race their bike through an obstacle course and the top three teams will be awarded with medals. While the event will be fun, it will also be a rewarding experience for everyone that participates. At the end of the session, a representative from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson will present the new bikes to local children. “It is really an emotional experience. Many of these kids have never owned a bike before, and it is really cool to see the look on their faces. The guests have fun with all of the games and building the bikes, but they can also see the reaction of what they have done for the children,” said Bobby Retz, managing director of Destination & Conference Services, Inc. The Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson is a local nonprofit program that provides after-school programs and a safe environment to assist youth in developing self-esteem, values and skills. Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson has been in the forefront of youth development in Tucson for over 40 years and offers programs that have been nationally field-tested and developed by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. These programs are proven to be successful in helping youth develop self-esteem and reach their full potential. For more information on the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson, call (520) 573-3533 or visit their Web site at www.bgctuc.org. For more information on attending or participating in the event, please contact WHFA’s Director of Events, Cindi Williams at (916) 960-0277 or cwilliams@whfa.org. About the WHFA and NHFA: The Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) is the largest affiliate of the NHFA, representing more than 1,100 independent home furnishings retailers in more than 2,800 stores in 12 western states. National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) is the nation’s largest organization devoted specifically to the needs and interests of home furnishings retailers. NHFA’s membership comprises 2,800 corporate entities representing 10,000 stores in all 50 states and several foreign countries.