This time of year there is more of a focus on giving back, though giving should certainly be a year-round affair.
Many companies have put specific programs in place to help them accomplish their charitable giving goals.
As a consumer, it’s important to know about these programs, because it means the dollars you spend on a regular purchase can do double-duty. You can buy what you need, support a company that believes in philanthropy, and actually help someone else in the community.
One such program is called Hope to Dream, started by Ashley HomeStore. The idea behind it is that every child should have access to a good night’s sleep and a bed to call their own. The company started the program in 2010 and they’ve already donated over 100,000 beds to children across North America.
How does it work? A portion of the purchase of every Ashley HomeStore mattress set goes toward providing a free twin mattress, box spring and bed frame to underprivileged children.
“What we do is we donate a portion of our mattress sales and at the end of the year we pool that all together,” says Grant Carriere, Sales Manager at the Ashley HomeStore in Sudbury. “This allows us to donate mattresses to children of need in the community. A lot of times we donate the entire set-up, so they get the mattress, bed frame, the necessary bedding and pillows to complete the room.”
The Sudbury store has taken part in Hope to Dream for the past three years. They work in partnership with several different local charities, who put them in touch with families who need the beds.
“Our business specifically only donates to local charities. One of our closest partners is Sudbury.com and their Twelve Acts of Kindness program that they run in December. We’ve also done work with Better Beginnings, Better Futures here in Sudbury, and the Canadian Cancer Society,” says Carriere.
Signage in the sleep shop explains the program to customers, so they’re aware of the good their purchase can do. Carriere understands that many people are charity-conscious and so staff try to get the message out as much as they can.
Ashley HomeStore Sudbury is a family business that’s keen to give back and they have had great success with their charitable endeavours. Last year they ran a program called Pinktober, where they raised money to combat breast cancer. They were able to raise over $10,000 in donations, money that went towards breast cancer research here in Sudbury.
For more information, Visit www.ashleyhomestorenorth.ca or call 705-566-3511.