Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
City of Hope to Honor Darrow, Smith, McIngvale and Geiselman
October 31,
2014 by in Community / Charitable Support, Industry 
The home furnishings industry has kicked off its 2015 fundraising campaign for the City of Hope with its selection of four industry leaders as honorees.
Kurt Darrow, chairman, CEO and president of La-Z-Boy, and Clarence Smith, chairman, CEO and president of retailer Havertys, will receive the Spirit of Life award April 19 at Grandover Resort in Greensboro, N.C., during High Point Market.
Grover Geiselman, CEO of Living Spaces, and Jim McIngvale, owner of Gallery Furniture, will receive Lifetime Achievement Award June 8 at the West Coast Golf and Tennis Tournament in Coto de Caza, Calif.
The Spirit of Life Award is City of Hope’s highest honor, and the Lifetime Achievement Award pays tribute to a career of service and excellence in the home furnishings industry.
“The coming year, 2015, will be the 50th anniversary of our industry’s support of leading-edge research at City of Hope, said Chuck Reilly, chair of the National Home Furnishings Industry group. "We look forward to another record-breaking fundraising year celebrating the accomplishments of our colleagues and making a tremendous impact on patients affected by cancer and diabetes around the world.”
A nationally known biomedical research and treatment center, City of Hope has been designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Center. Its mission is to transform the future of health by rapidly turning scientific discoveries into better treatments and better prevention strategies for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.
“It is a tremendous honor to receive The Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope," Darrow said. "The worldwide impact that City of Hope’s scientists and doctors are having in their fight against cancer and other life-threatening diseases is remarkable, both in the research of potential life-saving cures as well as in the treatment of patients at their renowned medical center,” Darrow said. “I’m particularly privileged to receive this year’s award with my long-time friend Clarence Smith and we at La-Z-Boy look forward to working with him and his team at Haverty’s to increase the support and visibility for this great cause.”
Added Smith: "I am honored to receive this year's Spirit of Life Award along with my friend Kurt Darrow. In the fight against cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses, City of Hope is a leading medical center with ground-breaking research and treatment efforts that benefit millions. I’m excited to be working with the La-Z-Boy team and hope we can bring more attention and support to City of Hope and their work.”
Gieselman too was proud to be honored by City of Hope.
“I am grateful to be partnering with my mentor, Jim McIngvale, to support this incredible institution and make a difference for men, women and children who suffer from cancer and diabetes worldwide,” he said. ”We are determined to make the 24th Annual West Coast Golf & Tennis Tournament a tremendous success for the industry and City of Hope.”
Go online for more information on the 2015 events or other ways to support City of Hope.