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Morris Golf Outing Raises $125K+
August 27,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on August 28, 2012
Morris Furniture Co.'s recent charity golf benefit raised more than $125,000 for The Children's Medical Center of Dayton, Ohio.
During the vendor appreciation breakfast preceding the event, one vendor and one sales representative were recognized for outstanding service, dedication and support. Todd Ille of Albany Inds. was on hand to accept the Vendor of the Year award; and Jeff Cempre of Lane Furniture was awarded Vendor Representative of the Year.
The award presentation was held at NCR Country Club. Guests of Morris Furniture Co., Fairborn, Ohio, also heard a presentation about the companys recent growth and future expansion plans prior to playing on the course. CEO Larry Klaben announced that the companys second Morris Home Center recently opened in Florence, Ky.' and additional store openings are planned in current trading areas.
Each of the vendors honored today, has changed with the times and continues to provide Morris with quality products, great sales tools and ideas to help us grow our business," Klaben said. "We are proud to work together to achieve sales success in a true partnership with both Lane and Albany.
The 5th Annual Gem City Jam golf outing was held at the NCR Country Club, in Kettering, Ohio. More 190 golfers, representing more than 50 company vendors and media partners, participated. As a result of sponsorship, golfer registrations and auctions over $125,000 was raised for The Childrens Medical Center of Dayton. The proceeds from this event will benefit the Pediatric Cancer Care Endowment and provide life-saving medical equipment for the hospital. This makes the 2012 event the most successful to date and surpasses the half-million dollar mark for the Gem City Jam over the past five years.
Morris Furniture Co. thanked all its vendor partners for participating in this golf event and supporting The Childrens Medical Center of Dayton.
A number of companies have been with us since we started the Gem City Jam," Klaben said. "Committing to helping sick children for five years in a row is admirable and these companies deserve our thanks for their generosity year after year.
A highlight of the Gem City Jam was the live auction of three original artworks created by Dayton Childrens cancer patient Dakota Cody Stonerock. Cody is pictured with his mother, Shannon, and Tony Kenney, president of Enon-based Speedway SuperAmerica, the recipient of one of Codys drawings that raised $7,200 for Dayton Childrens during the live auction.
Attendees of the event met Justin Skinner, a Dayton Childrens Ambassador and his father, David. Since his first surgery for spina bifida five hours after birth, Justin has had more than 30 surgeries. Spina bifida is a birth defect that involves the incomplete development of the spinal cord or its coverings.
Today, thanks to the amazing staff at Dayton Childrens, Justin is doing just fine, said David Skinner.
Justin is a very active teenager who has tried nearly any sport. Justin loves wheelchair basketball and currently plays for a varsity team.
I am so proud of all that Justin has experienced in life," David Skinner added. "I am thankful for Dayton Childrens staff desire to treat the child and care for the family.
The support from our vendors and media partners has been outstanding as we continue our mission of Making Homes Great," Klaben said. "The Childrens Medical Center of Dayton is the regions premier childrens hospital and our community will benefit from the generosity of our vendor partners. This non-profit organization serves our entire community with no child ever turned away.
Morris Furniture Co. started in 1947 in downtown Dayton. Morris is one of the largest privately owned furniture stores in Ohio and is owned by Larry Klaben. The company currently employs more than 380 associates in Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus and most recently Northern Kentucky.