As we say goodbye to 2020, I wanted to take one final look back at our community giving programs from this past year.
Although there are many struggles that everyone has experienced this year due to the pandemic, we also continue to see the kind, giving nature of our customers and community partners.
I want to say thank you to everyone who has donated and supported Bob’s this year and over the years.
Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
Operation Homefront
We started the year off strong, with a $75,000 donation to Operation Homefront, on January 23 at my Falls Church, Virginia location.
Operation Homefront is our fourth quarter Café Collections for a Cause program.
They are a national organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive – not simply struggle to get by – in the communities that they have worked so hard to protect. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 92 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing, and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles.
The $75,000 check is a combination of donations from customers across the country and a match from Bob’s. Thank you to everyone who donated to Operation Homefront!
Helping Families Who are Fighting Childhood Cancer
Nothing melts my heart more than seeing a smile on a child’s face after presenting them with a new bed.
I had the pleasure of meeting two very special kiddos in January who are both fighting childhood cancer. Together with the help of the Boston Bruins, One Mission and Family Reach, we were able to provide each child with a new bedroom set and their families with new furniture. And to top it all off, the Bruins invited them to a game where the families were honored on the jumbotron during the game.
Grant’s Story
Grant was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) when he was two-years old.
“It just threw my whole family into a shock because you never expect a young child to be sick like this and you have to rely on other people to take care of your child, which is not a natural thing for a parent to do,” said Phil Medeiros, Grant’s father.
Grant underwent chemotherapy treatments and was declared in remission. Unfortunately, a year later the cancer returned and in June of 2018, Grant received a bone marrow transplant. He needed to be in isolation for ten months following the surgery.
The family is thrilled to say that Grant is in remission and going great.Learn more about Grant’s story here.
Juliet’s journey
Juliet was just two-years-old when she was diagnosed with AML in August of 2018.
She was treated at Boston Children’s hospital where she spent six months as an inpatient, undergoing chemotherapy treatments.
“It was very intense chemotherapy,” described Alyssa, Juliet’s mother. “She was in the hospital for extended periods of time. She was very sick and when we found out she was in remission it was the best day of our lives, hands down. And since then we’ve been grateful for every moment, and every day with her that she stays in remission and we hope that she’ll stay in remission forever!
On January 23, 2019, Juliet received her last round of chemotherapy and was released from the hospital the next month.
Her parents are happy to report that Juliet remains in remission.
Read more about Juliet’s story here.
Bob’s Donates $25,000 to Celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day
Wow, my hand was pretty tired after writing all of those big checks for Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 13. Just hours before Valentine’s Day, we showed our love of giving back to the community, by presenting a total of 10, $2,500 Random Acts of Kindness checks to various organizations across the country.
Supporting the First Responders
Stop, drop and relax.
The crew at Chicago Firehouse 18 has a new place to relax thanks to our crew at the Chicago South Loop location. The Bob’s team met a firefighter who said their firehouse was in need of some new furniture.
After their donation request was approved by my Outreach team, a few members of the firehouse picked out some new comfy sofas and recliners for their lounge. They also selected a glider for a firefighter who had just returned from maternity leave. How thoughtful!
Bedding for Field Hospital in Boston
Shortly after the pandemic began to spread across the country, a field hospital was set up at the Boston Expo Center in preparation for a potential surge in COVID-19 patients. The Bob’s team delivered 150 mattresses, foundations, frames and bed protectors.
Bob’s Discount Furniture Donates $70,000 to Special Olympics
On Wednesday, October 7, my team and I were thrilled to present a BIG check for $70,000 to Mary Beth McMahon, the president and CEO of Special Olympics Massachusetts. The donation will be dispersed to Special Olympic chapters in each state where we have stores.
A BIG thank you goes out to everyone who donated to this great organization! The $70,000 represents your donations plus a match from Bob’s. My team and I have been a proud supporter of Special Olympics since 2014 and have donated over $400,000!
Penguin Plunge
In addition to our Café Collections for a Cause donation, a few brave employees from our New Hampshire stores participated in the Penguin Plunge.
A team of 11 hearty souls – affectionately known as “Little Bobsters” – took a dip in the chilly waters of the Atlantic Ocean on February 2, to raise money for Special Olympics. The water temperature that day was a brisk 43 degrees, but that didn’t stop my team from having a great time.
“It was actually warmer in the water than outside,” said Melissa Ortins, store manager at my Manchester, New Hampshire location.
Ortins and her team raised just over $4,000 in one week. Great job, team!
THANK YOU!
Before we say goodbye to 2020, I wanted to say thank you for your business! We appreciate all of our customers over the past 30 years and look forward to serving you for another 30!
On behalf of our team, I want to wish you and your family a safe and healthy 2021!
