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From Home Furnishing Business

Common Thread for the Cure Foundation Treasurer Retires

June 30, 2026  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

“We are grateful to Patty for her years of dedicated service to the foundation,” said Jane Barea, Foundation president. “When we began the foundation, Patty volunteered to take on the challenging treasurer position, while still maintaining her full-time position as an interior designer. What started as income from designated products sold by our supporting manufacturers grew into financial support from fundraisers across the country and legacy donations from grateful families. Not only did Patty have to account for the income received, but she also had to ensure we were financially able to provide over $2 million in grants to over 480 survivors in the design and furnishings industry. Even as she faced her own battles with breast cancer, Patty continued to work to keep the foundation fiscally sound. She is owed a debt of gratitude for handling this responsibility for all these years, and I am proud to have served with her.”

In addition to her philanthropic work, Younts owns Design Consultants. As a commercial interior designer, she worked with high-profile clients including Wake Forest University, Kimberly-Clark, and the New York City headquarters of National Wholesale and Acme Hosiery. She was also active in the Color Marketing Group, advising companies on product design to strengthen market share. At Spradling Inc., a vinyl-upholstery manufacturer, Younts created “Shells,” which became the industry’s top-selling upholstery. She later founded J P Walls, Inc., which holds a patent for her “InstaWall” gypsum wall system—an easy-to-install office wall that reduces dust and saves time during construction.

Outside of work, Younts pursued her love of music as a founding member of the all-female steel drum band the “Bahama Mamas.” The six-member group played tenor pans, double guitar pans (Younts), tenor bass, bass, and set drums for 20 years at outdoor festivals, weddings, parties, schools, and street events. They recorded two CDs and were featured in television news specials and newspaper articles, then recognized as the only all-female steel drum band.

As the Foundation looks toward the future, it has initiated a search for a qualified individual to serve as treasurer. This volunteer leadership role will help oversee the organization’s financial stewardship, support sound fiscal management, and contribute to its long-term strategic vision. Candidates should possess an accounting degree or comparable financial management experience. This position does not require tax preparation. For more information, contact accounting@commonthreadforthecure.org.

The Common Thread for the Cure Foundation is dedicated to providing financial assistance to breast cancer survivors working in the design and furnishings industry, as well as to their immediate family members. Grants help ease financial stress during treatment and recovery, allowing recipients to focus on their health and well-being. These grants are made possible by the generosity of our many supporters, including our long-term sponsoring manufacturers. This valued group of sponsors includes Versteel, Valley Forge Fabrics, Momentum Textiles and Wallcovering, Paul Brayton Designs, Exemplis, Mayer Fabrics, AHF/Crossville, La-Z-Boy Healthcare | Knu Comfort, OFS, Vanguard Furniture, and Indiana Furniture, to name a few.  

Visit the organization’s website, commonthreadforthecure.org, for more information about the Foundation and to learn how to become a sponsor.