Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan
Yesterday I met with MCC member Lisa Swiftney (Paytec) - a talented and energetic telecom professional with a very interesting story to tell.
After we shared our professional histories and talked about how we might best refer business to each other, the conversation turned to philanthropic topics. Turns out Lisa is on the Board of Directors for the Furniture Bank of Southeastern Michigan. http://furniture-bank.org/
The
Furniture Bank is the only organization in Southeastern Michigan that
distributes home furnishings to families and individuals in crisis,
without charge. They've been at it since 1968, partnering with a growing number of agencies such as Haven, Oakland Family Services, and the Salvation Army.
Ten years ago, my house burned down. I lost a lot of "stuff," but was fortunate to have the resources to furnish my new home on my own. Art Van delivered our new beds quickly and a family member lent us a card table, two chairs, a frying pan, and a few plates and bowls. Other than that, my son and I lived in bare rooms for the better part of a month before our new furniture was delivered.
It wasn't easy, and I can't imagine how challenging it would have been if I hadn't known new "stuff" was on its way... I can't imagine what I would have done if I hadn't been in a financial position to purchase what we needed.
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Linda,
Lisa turned me on the Furniture Bank as well. Many clients ask me what to do with furniture they no longer need. I always suggest to give it to a charitable organization but most of the time they don't do it. I had been trying for a long time to set up a program with an organization where I could give clients a discount as an incentive for making a furniture donation, but it never went anywhere. ONE day after joining MCC, I posted what I was trying to do and Lisa immediately got me in touch with the executive director of the Furniture Bank. Within a week, I met the director, toured the facility (which I recommend to anyone), and hatched out a plan with her:
1) People presenting me with their Furniture Bank receipt will receive a $50 discount.
2) I will be writing articles for upcoming Furniture Bank newsletters.
3) I will be involved with Furniture Bank events.
4) I will do some minor repair/touch up work on some furniture so that the bank could accept donations they would typically turn away due to damage and make some pieces more presentable to their clients.
Lisa helped me help people, and I appreciate it very much. Thanks Lisa!
Hi Israel! I am so delighted to read of your contact with Lisa and the Furniture Bank, and think your plan is very cool - you've gotten my wheels turning and I'm going to do something similar.
Meanwhile, do you do caning? I have 4 antique oak chairs with caned seats. One has a moderate tear in the caning, a second one is so torn it is totally "unsitable." They are in my lower level and don't get much use these days, but I do need to have them recaned at some point.
Happy Weekend!
Linda,
Thank you so very much for your kind words.
Israel,
I am so glad that I was able to help.
Lisa
Yes Linda, I do caning - either machine woven or hand weaving. Call me when you're ready 734-765-4102. I do free estimates.
By the way, from what the director at the Furniture Bank told me, what is most useful is children's furniture (cribs, beds, etc.). In a lot of cases clients are referred to the bank by Child Protection Services - parents have a hard time keeping their kids/getting their kids back if they don't have the appropriate furniture.