Nov 2009 Red Chair Times.pub - Furniture Bank of Central Ohio

Volume 3 Issue 4
November 2009
THE
Red Chair TIMES
Stories of Turning Empty Houses Into Homes
Thankful for the Gift of Home
Mariama Bah experienced a myriad of unspeakable tragedies as a
citizen of Sierra Leone during the civil war that terrorized this
poverty-stricken nation from 1991-2002. She was merely 15 years
old when the war broke out. For eleven years, she witnessed and
endured horrific events. She explained that the graphic violence
depicted in the movie ‘Blood Diamond’ did not begin to convey the
true realities of the gruesome affair that almost took her life.
Seven years later, after receiving admission into the US as part of the
Diversity Visa Program, Mariama is thankful to be living in the
United States of America. She is doing her best to raise two young
boys on her own. Even without an education, a job, or adequate
English speaking skills, she emphatically declared, “Me American…
Me scared no more.”
Keeping her babies warm and safe was her main priority. Not
having furniture did not register to her as a tragedy, simply an
unfortunate situation that she just managed to deal with. Mariama
was overjoyed the day she learned that there were opportunities for
her to obtain assistance so that she and her young boys could have
beds to sleep upon and a table at which they could eat.
The help she needed came largely from
Community Properties of Ohio. This
agency, which is committed to stabilizing
families by providing quality, affordable
housing, connected Mariama with the
Furniture Bank. During her visit to the
warehouse to select furniture for her
family, Mariama was profusely grateful
for all she was given. “God bless
America,” she said. She was thankful that
this great country offers so many
opportunities for people to get the help
they need. The Furniture Bank was proud
to provide Mariama and her young boys
with the furniture they needed, and to
further demonstrate the powerful impact
that can be realized when the community
works together.
An Attitude of Gratitude
Is it possible to be grateful when we are struggling
with a challenge?
Author Jim Stoval seemed to capture the essence of
the "attitude of gratitude" when he wrote: "In those
times when we yearn to have more in our lives, we
should dwell on the things we already have. In doing
so, we will often find that our lives are already full to
overflowing."
Stoval seems to imply that our attitude in life is all
about perspective. It's the old "half empty or half full"
question. We can either focus on those things that
"aren't," or "haven't," or "didn't," or we can focus on
those things in our lives that "are," or "have," or "did".
If you spend much time at the Furniture Bank, you'll
feel a strong tendency to adopt the "half full" mindset.
Everyday we help families and individuals that have
significantly more difficult challenges than we do.
Whether it's previous homelessness, or single
parenting with a poverty-level income, or mental
disability, or seeking refuge from oppression in a
foreign land, the challenges these families face make
the "half full" viewpoint seem practically impossible.
Yet, the families we help with furniture for their homes
always take time to say thank-you for the helping
hand up we provide them. The words of thanks
constantly brighten our days, and help us see the
value of an "attitude of gratitude."
In following their example, thank YOU for all you have
done and continue to do in sharing our mission to
"turn empty houses into homes." Without your help, it
would not be possible for these families to receive the
furniture you and our community provides them. You
also brighten our days, as we get the chance to
continually be a part of neighbors helping neighbors,
even in the most challenging of times. On behalf of
our staff and your neighbors in need, Thank You!
President
MAP Furniture Bank
A Publication of MAP Furniture Bank
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THE RED CHAIR TIMES | November 2009 | VOLUME 3
| ISSUE 4
A Home for the Holidays
Many kids are overjoyed when they get to spend an afternoon at the playground…. spending hours on the swings, slides, and monkey
bars. But how many children would actually want to trade in their homes in order to live 24/7 on a playground? A Columbus
playground is precisely where Manuel Riviera and his two young children lived for several long weeks. With no place to call home, a
secluded playground was the best location that this young father could find for himself and his children to reside.
Escaping many terrible experiences, Manuel and his children travelled to the Capital
City looking for a fresh start. Due to the untimely death of the Columbus friend
with whom Manual had originally planned to stay until he could secure a job and an
apartment of his own, they found themselves alone and homeless in a new city.
This father was in despair. How could he provide for his children when he couldn’t
even provide for himself? The days at the playground were long.
Fortunately, this little family was noticed by Jim Rose of Capital Crossroads. Jim is
an Outreach Specialist with the Discovery Special Improvement District (SID). Mr.
Rose was able to place the family in temporary housing. Jim then contacted Brian Hall with Maryhaven to enlist his help in finding
permanent housing for the trio. Mr. Brian Hall worked with the Community Shelter Board to move the family into an apartment.
Then, through sponsorship by Maryhaven, Brian brought the family for a visit to MAP Furniture Bank to fill their home.
While at the Furniture Bank, Manuel expressed his deep gratitude for the furniture that would complete his new home. He was
thankful to finally have a furnished home in which to keep his children safe, and to provide his kids with the fresh start that they so
desperately needed. The Riviera family was thankful to have a home for the holidays and all the days beyond.
Semi-Annual Furniture Auction
February 6, 2010
REMINDER: Kroger is generously donating
$5,000,000 to non-profit organizations
this year as part of its Community Rewards
Program. MAP Furniture Bank is registered
with this program (organization #83526),
and has received $231.76 to date
from these designated funds.
You can support the Furniture Bank each
time you purchase your groceries at Kroger!
Simply register your Kroger rewards card at
www.krogercommunityrewards.com
Select OHIO
Scroll down and click on ‘ENROLL’
Doors Open: 9:00am
Auction Begins: 10:00am
Look for more information to come!
Did You Know?
You can follow the Furniture Bank
on Twitter and Facebook.
Joining Twitter (twitter.com) will
enable you to receive short, frequent
updates about the
Furniture Bank.
Joining Facebook (Facebook.com)
will enable you to view photo
albums of past events, and stay
informed about upcoming events.
Become a friend of MAP today!
THANK YOU!
Tell your friends and family that the Furniture Bank will pick up their gently used furniture. Pick-Up is free! (614) 272-9544
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THE RED CHAIR TIMES | November 2009 | VOLUME 3
| ISSUE 4
The Furniture Bank thanks Sauder Woodworking and the many volunteers who worked to
provide new furniture for families in our community.
Many of you read about the generous donation of 560 dresser kits from Sauder Woodworking in the May issue of the Red
Chair Times. Thanks to an overwhelming response from volunteer groups at local companies and organizations, all of these
dressers have been assembled and given out to our neighbors in need. But don’t despair - your group did not completely miss
the opportunity to work together to build furniture! Our friends at Sauder made an additional donation of ready-to-assemble
desks, headboards, and sheets of plywood for the construction of dinner tables. The Furniture Bank is grateful to Sauder for
their continued support and significant furniture donations. Similarly, the Furniture Bank recognizes that without the efforts
of our volunteers, these pieces of furniture would not have been assembled and distributed to the families we serve. Therefore,
the Furniture Bank extends a sincere thank you to the following volunteer groups (representing more than 500 individuals)
who collectively assembled 560 Sauder Dressers:
Nationwide
Thursday Crew (Habitat Volunteers)
Limited Brands
Key Bank
Continental
Ernst & Young
Alcatel Lucent
T.O.U.C.H.
Cohen & Company
Columbus Dispatch
Columbus Gives Back
Elders from the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints
Mennonite Church Group
United Methodist Youth
Church of the Resurrection
Trinity Seminar
Mettler-Toledo
Phi Delta Theta
US Bank
Ohio Health
Big Lots Young Professionals
Qwest Communications
American Express
Ohio State University Students
And various Individuals who assembled dressers
If you have a group who would like to donate their time and talents to assemble some of these furniture items, please contact
Becky ([email protected]) to arrange a date/time. We look forward to hosting your group!
DONATE TODAY
N0911
Your donation gives local families a chance to move their lives forward
90 CENTS
Enclosed is my tax-deductible donation of $_________.*
VISA
MasterCard
AmEx
Discover
Check
Account Number ____________________________________________________
Security Code*________ EXP: ___________ *3-digit number on the signature line of Visa, MasterCard or Discover. 4-digit number on AmEx cards.
Name: __________________________________________________________
Address: _________________________________________________________
City: ___________________ST _______ ZIP_______ Phone:__________________
E-mail:______________________ Web site_______________________________
Company/Organization: _________________________________________________
I’d like to learn more about: __ Planned Giving __ The Founder’s Circle __ Volunteer Opportunities
OF EVERY
DOLLAR
RAISED IS
USED TO
PROVIDE
BASIC
FURNITURE
Go Green!
Donate online!
TO LOCAL
FAMILIES IN
NEED
*Please make checks payable to MAP Furniture Bank. Mail to 118 South Yale Ave., Columbus, OH 43222 - or donate online: www.mapfurniturebank.org
Tell your friends and family that the Furniture Bank will pick up their gently used furniture. Pick-Up is free! (614) 272-9544
3
In the
SPOTLIGHT
MAP Furniture Bank
Meet Michael Starr, map volunteer
Michael’s first encounter with MAP occurred a decade ago when he became involved with the Hilliard Jaycees.
In January 2000, while in the process of redesigning the Hilliard Jaycees' website, he attended his first Hilliard
Jaycees meeting. It was there that he met Laura Hay. She told him about her husband's organization (which
started out as a Jaycee project) and asked if he would like to get involved. The next day, Michael drove down to
check it out. He stayed and volunteered, and later that day started on the website. Within a few months, Jeff
Hay (the founder of MAP Furniture Bank) asked if Michael wanted to serve on the board of directors. Michael
gladly accepted the offer. At that time, there were less than a dozen board members.
Michael reflects: “Looking back over the last 10 years, the organization has grown and evolved many times over.
But what has never changed and has remained true is the dedication to the clients. Through the years, the
organization has adjusted the number of appointments based on furniture supply, and even created the points
system so the distribution of pieces could be fair and equal for all who are served at the Furniture Bank.”
When Michael is not volunteering to serve as the chair of the Community Relations Committee, or working to update the MAP website, this
Steubenville, Ohio native, and Kent State alumnus, works as a Senior Training Specialist with Comsys IT Partners. He is currently on
assignment at Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC), and views it as an honor to support the Nation’s Armed Forces every day. Outside
of work, Michael enjoys bicycling, volunteering with the Jaycees, and spending time with his beloved, Suzanne.
When asked about some of his most rewarding experiences at the Furniture Bank, Michael responds, “That is a difficult question to answer as
there have been so many!” Michael did list the following events as highlights: Being asked to join the board; taking pictures inside London
Correctional of furniture assembled for MAP, serving as the chair of Community Relations Committee, and 'ringing' at the furniture auctions.
Michael, all of your contributions to the Furniture Bank are greatly appreciated! Thank you for 10 years of volunteer service!
Mark Your Calendars...
• Across The Field Bash - November 14th
Previously Hineygate, Across the Field Bash is the new Buckeye
home game day party in Columbus! Proceeds from this
event on 11/14 (the Buckeyes last home game of the season)
will benefit the Furniture Bank! Stop by if you’re available!
Across the Field Store
2781 Olentangy River Road
Columbus, Ohio 43202
• L&L Build, Remodel & Landscape Expo - January 1-3, 2010
The Furniture Bank will have a booth at this extensive home show which aims to bring together homeowners
and many of the most knowledgeable and experienced remodeling and building experts. Our presence at this
show is a great way to raise awareness about the Furniture Bank. Volunteers are needed to work at the
show. Contact Joanne to sign-up to volunteer. 272-9544 x213 or [email protected]
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, Halls E & F
Friday 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Saturday 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tell your friends and family that the Furniture Bank will pick up their gently used furniture. Pick-Up is free! (614) 272-9544
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THE RED CHAIR TIMES | November 2009 | VOLUME 3
| ISSUE 4
The Furniture Bank thanks the following sponsors of the
2009 Red Chair Art Affair for a successful event, raising enough
funds to transform 72 empty houses into homes:
Presenting Sponsor
Sofa Society Sponsors:
Grange Insurance
KPMG
Table Team Sponsors:
Jim Henderson & Katherine Kuck
U.S. Bancorp Foundation
Charter One Foundation
Motorists Insurance Companies Foundation
Bricker & Eckler, LLP
Lamp Lighter Sponsors:
Mark & Jennie Wilson
Dan & Missy Lorenz
Custer Capital, Inc.
Kenwel Printers, Inc.
The Furniture Bank thanks the following participating artists:
Rick Borgia
Lisa Hartley
Therese Brady
Sue Campbell
Garner Chapman
Steve Coup
N. Penny Denning
Lauren Emond
Margaret Eriksen
Amy Flowers
Felicia Frazier
Willie Hightower
Abby Jantzi
Carolyn Johnston
Christy Jones
Kathy Kochensparger
Renee Kropat
Elisa Ludwig
Jared McAlister
Paula Melchert
Barbara Nekic
Terri Ogburn
Molly Prentice
Alan Ramey
Michelle Ramey
Mary Rankin
R. Eric Rising
Cyndi Robinson
Mark Shy
Don Slobodien
Ben Slobodien
Brook Slobodien
Joanne Spoth
Richard Schwitzerlett
Peggy Stein
Carrie Valenta
Don Wentz
Connie Wood
Tell your friends and family that the Furniture Bank will pick up their gently used furniture. Pick-Up is free! (614) 272-9544
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THE RED CHAIR TIMES | November 2009 | VOLUME 3
| ISSUE 4
Tables for Thanksgiving: November 16 - 25, 2009
The Furniture Bank invites you to gather a few friends (2-4 people)
and sign up to participate in the 2009 Tables for Thanksgiving
Campaign. This year, the program will encompass the entire week
prior, and the three days leading up to, the Thanksgiving holiday
(November 16 - 25). This expanded schedule will enable even more
families to receive the ‘Gift of Home’ during the Thanksgiving
Holiday Season.
Each team of volunteers will work alongside a Furniture Bank staff
member to load and deliver furniture for approximately 3 families.
The volunteers will have the opportunity to help provide these
families with a complete houseful of furniture, rather than simply a
table and chairs.
Your team can sign up to participate in either a morning or
afternoon shift on any weekday during this period. Simply email
Becky by 11/12/09 ([email protected]) with your
preferred date/shift (morning shift is 9:00am-12:30pm, afternoon shift is 1:00-4:30pm). The Furniture Bank encourages you to
volunteer to turn empty houses into homes in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday.
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James A. Brewer
Joseph E. Budde
John M. Budde
Claudius Christmas
John Hartman
Chris Henneforth
Thomas Houle
Christopher E. Hogan
Bob Kington
Matthew D. Kramer
Phillip E. Mallott
J. Paul McCaffrey
Louise Seipel
Steve Snethkamp
Michael E. Starr
Alan K. Veatch
Brad Waite
Faith Williams
Jennie Wilson
Jeff Zimmerman
Board of Directors
Our mission is to provide free furniture to
neighbors in need.
MAP Furniture Bank
118 South Yale Ave
Columbus, OH 43222-1369