Nassau charities are better able to promote education and awareness. Mrs. Dawn Forbes (Sales & Store Operations Manager), center, presents donation cheques to Mr. L. Alexander Roberts (Ranfurly Home for Children), left, and Mr. Earl Bethel (Cancer Society). The Ranfurly Home will use the donation to provide education to the current children housed there, and the Cancer Society will provide education and awareness on breast and colon cancer screening to the family islands. Photo: Erik J. Russell

The Bahamas – Furniture Plus presented its first donation cheques to local charities selected by prize-winning customers through September this year and kicked off its Christmas season of giving. The beneficiaries for March through September are:the Grand Bahama Heart Association, Grand Bahama Cancer Association, Grand Bahama Children’s Home, and in Nassau, the Ranfurly Home for Children, The Cancer Society, and the Children’s Emergency Hostel.

All six charities were thrilled that customers of Furniture Plus chose to support them, plus they gained added exposure to the causes they champion throughout the year. “The Bahamas community has proven to be a generous one,” said Mrs. Krystynia Lee d’Arville, Vice President of Marketing for Furniture Plus. “They have touched so many of our local charities by showing them that they are not forgotten and that we still care. Those who participated in this promotion should feel a great sense of pride.”

The company designed the “BELIEVE” 2010 campaign to make an impact in the community by not only rewarding customer loyalty for shopping in The Bahamas but also giving back to those in need through its Charity of Hope Foundation^TM.Furniture Plus stores in Nassau, Grand Bahama and Abaco have given away over $40,000 in prizes so far this year while donating to charities selected by winning customers. Since the campaign began in March, Furniture Plus has earmarked $7500 in cash donations for charity while advocating for community involvement with more donations slated for Christmas.

“Our employees and customers did an amazing job selecting charities for each island,” added Mr. Troy T. d’Arville, President and CEO for The Plus Group of Companies. “For example, the moneys received will aid the Ranfurly Home for Children in providing education for children housed at the home. The Cancer Society will use their donation to provide education and awareness to the family islands on breast and colon cancer screening. It’s so important to remember these important organizations.”

Grand Bahama charities receive much-needed boost. Pictured left to right: Ms. Victoria Seymour and Ms. Arnette Coakley of the Grand Bahama Heart Association, Mr. Scott Ferguson, General Manager of Furniture Plus in Grand Bahama, Ms. Norma Headley, President of the Grand Bahama Cancer Association, and Ms. Geneva Rutherford, Grand Bahama Children's Home Executive Committee. All three charities received $1,000 and were thrilled that Furniture Plus will continue to help them throughout the year. Photo: Erik J. Russell

It is not too late to take part in charitable efforts with Furniture Plus this year. Now through Christmas, its stores are offering Angel of Hope Christmas tree tags for a minimum $1 donation and beautiful Bahamian-made Candles of Hope for $10 donations to benefit children’s charities on all three island store locations, namely the Ranfurly Home for Children in Nassau, Grand Bahama Children’s Home in Grand Bahama, and Every Child Counts School in Abaco. The company matches all proceeds for charity. In addition, the company is again offering customers who win prizes through Christmas the opportunity to designate funds to their chosen charities.

“I love seeing our Christmas trees filled with angels each year, because each tag means that another Bahamian cared enough to give,” exclaimed Mrs. Lee d’Arville.“But even if you have no money to donate, you can help these charities by simply becoming a fan of Furniture Plus on Facebook. For each new fan Furniture Plus receives through Christmas, Furniture Plus will donate $1 to children’s charities on all three islands. It’s so easy, anyone can do it!”

For more information please visit the Furniture Plus website at www.furnitureplus.com, send an email to info@furnitureplus.com, or call 242-397-PLUS (7587). To learn more about The Cancer Society, The Bahamas Ranfurly Home for Children, Grand Bahama Children's Home, Children’s Emergency Hostel, Grand Bahama Heart Association, Grand Bahama Cancer Association, Every Child Counts School or other charities supported by Furniture Plus, please contact them or visit their respective websites .