Ohio Retailer Donates to Charity, Honors Vendors

July 4, 2006  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on July 2006 Morris Furniture Co. has raised $50,000 for the Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, Ohio, from its recent vendor-appreciation golf tournament. A matching grant from the Mathile Family Foundation pushed the total contribution to $100,000.

More than 100 golfers, representing more than 72 company vendors and media partners, participated in the event, which resulted in a $45,000 check for the medical center.

“Additional vendor support following the golf outing resulted in an additional $5,000 being raised, for a total donation of $50,000 for this fine organization,” said Larry Klaben, president and chief executive officer of Fairborn, Ohio-based Morris Furniture Co. “The support from our vendors and media partners has been outstanding. The Children’s Medical Center of Dayton is the region’s premier children’s 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 also presented vendor-appreciation awards during the two-day event, which included an awards dinner as well as the golf outing, which took place at the NCR Country Club, in Kettering, Ohio, which hosted the 2005 U.S. Senior Open tournament.

The awards presentation was held at Morris newly expanded distribution center.

Jack Gilberg of Berkline was named Sales Representative of the Year.

“Jack was selected because of his dedication, strong work ethic and industry background,” said Morris Furniture Merchandiser Deb Linkhorn. “He is constantly working for his dealers. He diligently works hard to make Berkline one of our top resources.”

Leather Italia U.S.A. was named Vendor of the Year.

“Leather Italia U.S.A. has exceeded their promises and has provided us with outstanding values and great delivery,” said Mike VanAutreve, vice president of merchandising for Morris Furniture.

Flexsteel Inds. received the Partnership of the Year award.

“Morris has been doing business with Flexsteel for over 40 years,” Klaben said. “Flexsteel has changed with the times and continues to provide Morris with quality products, great sales tools and ideas to help us grow our business. Todd Yoder (Flexsteel’s Northeast sales manager) and (sales representative) Larry Olson continuously demonstrate how a manufacturer and partner retailer can work together to achieve sales success in a true partnership.”

Morris Furniture Co., owns and operates two Morris Home Furnishings stores. The company also has two Ashley Furniture HomeStore locations in the Dayton area; two Cincinnati-area Ashley stores; and Ashley store in Columbus. Morris also operates the Dayton area’s only Thomasville store in Centerville, Ohio; and Midwest Clearance Outlet in Fairborn.

Additional store openings are planned in current trading areas.