Spring Air Donates Mattresses to Hurricane Laura Victims

September 24, 2020  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

The two companies, responding to a request by an industry colleague, manufactured and donated mattresses to give frontline workers a place to rest following their long days helping clean up storm damage.

Nick Bates, president of Spring Air International, was approached by industry contact Joe Perrotta about the work he and a crew of more than 20 people were doing in Louisiana for help. Perrotta most recently worked for leading sleep retailer Mattress Firm. The group has been working 16-hour days for the last two weeks to apply tarps to homes that lost roofs during the storm until permanent repairs can be made. At night, the team was sleeping on makeshift beds and air mattresses in a church sanctuary on makeshift beds and air mattresses.

“The Lake Charles, Louisiana, community is in desperate need of help, and first responders are working tirelessly to help those impacted to regain some sense of normalcy. This crew is logging long days and remaining at peak performance calls for a full night’s sleep. We are happy to be able to support Joe and the group and help them remain active in their pursuit to help,” said Bates, president of Spring Air International. “Partnering with Silverline, which is manufacturing the mattresses, is our way of helping provide relief to the first responders.”

The donated mattresses will be set up in the church in Jennings, Louisiana, that serves as the crew’s home base.

“When Nick called about this need, our team stepped up to produce these mattresses quickly,” said Drew Robins, president of Continental Silverline. “Being in Houston and having witnessed a number of devastating hurricanes here, we are very familiar with the importance of having those relief workers on the ground making a difference. Teaming up with Spring Air to provide them a place to rest is an honor.”

Perrotta, who is from Houston, Texas, said a team of five people can cover up to six houses a day. The area has 44,000 homes that lost roofs during the storm.

“We have made a lot of progress, but the damage here is unbelievable. We have a long road ahead,” Perrotta said. “Having Spring Air and Silverline provide us with a comfortable place to recover is quite the blessing, and we’re very thankful for the gift.” 

Hurricane Laura, a Category 4 storm, made landfall near Lake Charles, Louisiana, with 150 mph winds and a storm surge up to 15 feet leaving the city flooded. At least 28 people died in the storm and power outages remain.